Rights at Risk in Privatized Public Housing

44 Pages Posted: 8 May 2015 Last revised: 19 Oct 2015

See all articles by Jaime Lee

Jaime Lee

University of Baltimore - School of Law

Date Written: May 1, 2015

Abstract

Traditional public housing is dwindling. Federal policy has increasingly encouraged privatization, shifting stewardship of public housing out of the hands of government and into the hands of private, for-profit companies. Privatization in this context has both benefits and risks. A particularly compelling area of study is the attempt by lawmakers to conscript private contractors into serving public policy goals. Private landlords are obligated not merely to provide housing, but to conduct themselves in ways that promote the interests of vulnerable people. The case of public housing suggests that legislative mandates and contractual obligations are not enough to assure this outcome, and must be accompanied by a commitment to vigorous monitoring and enforcement.

Keywords: public housing, privatization, private contractors, public policy goals, private landlords, legislative mandates, contractual obligations, monitoring, enforcement, legal accountability measures, due process, sunshine laws, electoral approval

JEL Classification: H11, H53, I39, K19, K29, K39

Suggested Citation

Lee, Jaime, Rights at Risk in Privatized Public Housing (May 1, 2015). Tulsa Law Review, Vol. 50, pp. 759-801, 2015, University of Baltimore School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2015-31, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2603260 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2603260

Jaime Lee (Contact Author)

University of Baltimore - School of Law ( email )

1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
United States

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