Low-Income Homeownership Policy as a Community Development Strategy

Policymakers have promoted homeownership for decades. What are the social and economic implications of those efforts? Edward Scanlon’s essay considers homeownership’s effects on community development and particularly on development in poor communities. His review suggests that homeownership can enable the accumulation of assets and wealth, improve property maintenance, decrease residential mobility, and broaden community engagement. He concludes by proposing a dual strategy for economic empowerment.

This article was simultaneously published as a chapter in Community Economic Development and Social Work.

Project: American Dream Policy Demonstration (ADD)