Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree
MS - Economics
Advisor
Fernando Rios-Avila, Ph.D.
Abstract
Data from the American Housing Survey for 2015, 2017, and 2019 show median incomes and median rent cost as a proportion of median income for Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Non – Hispanics at the state and metro level. The data demonstrates Blacks have lower median incomes than Whites, and Hispanics have lower median incomes than Non - Hispanics.
Additionally, the data indicates the median rent cost as a proportion of median income values for Blacks is larger than the values for Whites. The values for Hispanics are larger than the values for Non - Hispanics. These results imply Blacks and Hispanics are at greater risk of entering homelessness than Whites and Non - Hispanics. These results are essential in determining why Blacks and Hispanics are continuously over-represented in the United States Homelessness share. Using this framework suggests the Public Sector must increase the supply of affordable housing and increase income opportunities for Black and Hispanic Americans by following a Federal Housing First Model and implementing a Federal Jobs Guarantee Program.
Access Control
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Klatke, Lukas MS, "Addressing the Homelessness Crisis in the United States of America" (2021). Theses - Graduate Programs in Economic Theory and Policy. 34.
https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/levy_ms/34