Volume 17, Issue 2

2006

 

Patrick M. Costigan

In his thoughtful analysis, Joseph realistically points to what a mixedincome
housing development can and cannot offer its low-income residents. Observed benefits include greater informal social controls over the development, likely proximal modeling opportunities for youth, and participation in a political-economic subgroup that can demand more responsive public services. Yet without offering more comprehensive, structured supports to its residents, no form of housing alone can be an antidote to poverty.

 

However, if we expand Joseph’s analysis to include the impact of largescale developments on distressed urban neighborhoods, we can see mixedincome
housing catalyzing other benefits for low-income residents. These benefits include a reduced housing cost burden; more structured supportive services; dramatically improved surroundings; high-quality housing and community design; faster-paced complementary investments in public systems and amenities; and strategically restored market functioning that offers more choices, lower prices, new jobs, and additional tax revenues to support service delivery.