L E V I N C O L L E G E O F U R B A N A F F A I R S
D E P A R T M E N T O F U R B A N S T U D I E S
Fall 2000 Dr. Mittie Olion Chandler
Section 50 36 Urban Affairs Building
Dively Conference Room 687-3861
Office Hours: Wed., 4:30-5:30 lurie@urban.csuohio.edu
PDD/UST 662
URBAN HOUSING POLICY
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will focus upon the evolution of urban housing policy, the policies that shape the
existing housing system, and proposals for modifying housing policies and programs. Housing
policy developments will be primarily related to broad ideological and political changes since
the 1960s. Among the major aspects of the current housing situation considered are: finance,
subsidization, affordability, homeownership, and discrimination. Students will utilize the
Cleveland metropolitan area as a laboratory for examining the concepts presented in the course.
During the term, the subjects covered will cover the roles of governmental bodies and private
actors, new and emerging housing initiatives, and policy approaches designed to serve specific
populations or address specific problems.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The objective of the course is to provide students with the information necessary to develop an
understanding of the current housing policy debate. Several components are crucial to this
understanding: a theoretical framework for analyzing housing policy; a historical perspective of
housing policy; key factors underlying the success and failure of housing initiatives; and an
assessment of housing program approaches that influence and are influenced by policy
deliberations.
COURSE METHOD
The course utilizes a seminar format. The course format includes reading assignments, lectures,
audio-visual aids, group discussion, student presentations and class participation. Students are
expected to complete all readings assigned for each topic before the class session is held.
Supplemental handouts will be used when appropriate.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The course requirements are contained in five elements presented below.
Assignments
Each student is expected to complete the following assignments:
1. All required readings on the syllabus and be prepared to engage in class discussion centering
on the issues raised in readings. Each student should come to class with one discussion question
derived from the readings (question may be e-mailed if received by 5:30 p.m. on the day of
class).
2. Four case study analyses that explore four housing policy topics. Guidelines for preparing the
analyses are provided in an attachment. Length of analysis: approximately 5 pages.
3. An oral presentation that summarizes the housing policy research paper. During the last
regular class(December 13), students will give a 15-20 minute overview of their research papers
to the entire class. This presentation should capture the high points of the paper such as a
detailed description of the subject, the major findings and recommendations.
4. A housing policy research paper which examines an organization, program, or initiative.
Details on the paper are provided on a supplemental sheet. The paper is due December 20.
Length of paper: approximately 15 pages.
Grading
Assignments will contribute to the calculation of the final grade as follows:
Attendance and participation 10%
Case Studies 60%
Final paper 25%
Oral Presentation 5%
BASIS FOR GRADING
Presentation (composition, clarity, grammar, syntax, spelling)
Form (structure, arrangement, format, appearance)
Content
quality and quantity of research
depth and scope of analysis
coverage of topic
incorporation of course concepts
Timeliness
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to attend all classes particularly since participation and discussion are
integral parts of the course. Further, material will be incorporated during class sessions that is
not covered in the assigned readings.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Refer to the CSU Bulletin for procedures relative to course add/drop, withdrawal, S/U grading,
and incomplete procedures. The final drop date for fall term courses is October 20.
CLASS MATERIALS
The following books have been ordered through Barnes and Noble Bookstore:
Affordable Housing and Urban Redevelopment in the United States, Willem Van Vliet, ed.
The Federal Government and Urban Housing, R. Allen Hays
Other required readings are available on reserve at the CSU Library and for purchase at cost
from the instructor.
Suggested Resources and Readings:
Building Foundations: Housing and Federal Policy, Denise DiPasquale and Langley C. Keyes,
eds.
Housing Issues of the 1990s, Sara Rosenberry and Chester Hartman, eds.
The Encyclopedia of Housing, Willem van Vliet, ed.
The Urban Housing Crisis: Social, Economic, and Legal Issues and Proposals, Arlene
Zarembka
CASE STUDIES
1) "Mixed-Income Housing: Factors for Success," Paul C. Brophy and Rhonda N. Smith; due
September 27
2) "HUD: Who Needs It?" Charlotte Allen; due October 18
3) "Half Empty or Half Full: Segregation and Segregated Neighborhoods 30 Years After the Fair
Housing Act," Nancy A. Denton; due November 8
4) "Regionalism: The New Geography of Opportunity," Henry G. Cisneros; due December 6
DISCUSSION TOPICS AND READINGS
AUGUST 30
Class 1: Introduction and overview
SEPTEMBER 6
Class 2: Evolution of urban housing policy
Hays
Chapter 1: Power, Ideology, and Public Policy
SEPTEMBER 13
Class 3: Federal role and legislation
Hays
Chapter 2: The Ideological Context of Housing Policy
Readings
63 Years of Federal Action in Housing and Urban Development
Major Federal Legislation and Executive Orders Authorizing HUD Programs
SEPTEMBER 20
Class 4: Local role
Hays
Chapter 3: Housing Markets and Submarkets
Van Vliet
Chapter 5: The Revitalization of Boston's Commonwealth Public Housing Development
Chapter 6: Chicago's Mixed-Income New Communities Strategy: The Future Face of
Public Housing?
SEPTEMBER 27: CASE STUDY #1 DUE
Class 5: Joint efforts/shared responsibility
Hays
Chapter 4: Federal Housing Assistance from the Depression to the Moratorium:
1934-1973
Van Vliet
Chapter 1: Changes and Challenges in Affordable Housing and Urban Development
Chapter 8: Sandtown-Winchester, Baltimore: Housing as Community Development
OCTOBER 4
Class 6: The Federal Role: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Hays
Chapter 6: The Growth of the Federal Role in Community Development
Readings
A Brief History of HUD
The Inherent Flaws of HUD
Guest Speaker
Douglas Shelby, Area Coordinator, HUD
OCTOBER 11
Class 7: Regulating/stimulating the private behavior
Hays
Chapter 5: New Directions in Housing Subsidies: 1973-1980
Van Vliet
Chapter 2: From BURP to BHP to Demo Dispo
Chapter 3: The Provision of Affordable Housing in Cleveland
Reading
Does the Federal Tax Treatment of Housing Affect the Pattern of Metropolitan
Development?
OCTOBER 18: CASE STUDY #2 DUE
Class 8: Fair housing
Readings
Federal Fair Housing Policy: The Great Misapprehension
Social Issues and the Future of Fair Housing
Guest Speaker
Mary Davis, Fair Housing Officer, Cuyahoga County Department of Development
OCTOBER 25
Class 9: Affordable Housing Issues: Predatory Lending
Hays
Chapter 8: Retrenchment and Recovery: From Reagan to Clinton
Readings
First-Time Homebuyers: Issues and Policy Options
Risk-Based Pricing: Are There Fair Lending Implications?
Guest Speaker
Charles Bromley, Metropolitan Strategy Group
NOVEMBER 1
Class 10: Economic and Community Development: Empowerment Zone/ Empowerment
Communities Initiative
Hays
Chapter 7: Community Development Block Grants
Reading
The Myth of Community Development
Guest Speaker
Daryl Rush, Vice President, Neighborhood Progress, Inc.
NOVEMBER 8: CASE STUDY #3 DUE
Class 11: Housing and Social Policy: Welfare Reform
Reading
Reassessing Shelter Assistance: The Interrelationship between Welfare and Housing
Programs
Housing, Welfare Reform, and Self-Sufficiency: An Assessment of the Family
Self-Sufficiency Program
NOVEMBER 15
Class 12: Homelessness
Readings
Is Homelessness a Housing Problem?
Future Directions for Programs Serving the Homeless
Guest Speaker
Brian Davis, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
NOVEMBER 22
THANKSGIVING EVE
NOVEMBER 29
Class 13: Special Needs Housing
Readings
Housing and Supportive Services: Federal Policy for the Frail Elderly and Chronically
Mentally Ill
Assisted Living in Public Housing: A Case Study of Mixing Frail Elderly and Younger
Persons with Chronic Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Histories
DECEMBER 6: CASE STUDY #4 DUE
Class 14: Future of Urban Housing Policy/student presentations
Hays
Chapter 9: Federal Housing Policy: Past, Present, and Future
Van Vliet
Chapter 11: Learning From Experience: The Ingredients and Transferability of Success
DECEMBER 13
Finals Week: Research papers due