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Review of the Housing Allowance Program
Author(s) -
MEEKS CAROL B.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of consumer affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1745-6606
pISSN - 0022-0078
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6606.1976.tb00584.x
Subject(s) - allowance (engineering) , subsidy , equity (law) , public economics , economics , collusion , program design language , business , microeconomics , engineering , operations management , political science , market economy , law , software engineering
Housing allowances are being touted as the popular solution to the low‐income housing problem. This article briefly examines the historical background, past research, factors, and issues which must be considered in designing an effective program. Major household concerns considered are: equity, eligibility and allowance formulas. Attention is given to program goals and their influence on the amount and kind of subsidy, definition of income and allowance formula selected. The response of the housing market to the new demand created is examined along with related factors such as requirements that recipients live in standard dwelling units and collusion opportunities for landlords and recipients. Based on research conducted on the food stamp program, household expenditure change is projected. Finally the impact of a housing allowance on other support programs and the need for program integration and administrative simplicity is considered.