10-26-12: The Lines Between Us: Housing Mobility

In the last segment of the episode we hear from a participant in the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program. In 2009, Nicole (last name has been withheld) moved from the Druid Hill area of Baltimore City to Columbia, Maryland.The Baltimore Housing Mobility Program began in 2003, as HUD was tasked with crafting a more regional approach that would give residents in public housing access to integrated, mixed-income neighborhoods.

BHMP is open to Housing Choice Voucher Program participants (formerly known as Section 8) and public housing residents.

Nicole said she chose to participate in the program because she wanted a safer neighborhood and a better school system for her son. According to a 2009 report on the program, 86 percent of new participants responded that they applied for the program to find a neighborhood with a lower crime rate. More than 1500 participants have relocated to surburban areas in the Baltimore region since the program began.

To discuss the advantages and the implications of various approaches to public housing, Tom speaks with Dr. Stefanie DeLuca, associate professor in the sociology department at Johns Hopkins University.

Below is an extended version of Nicole's story about moving to a surburban area. Also below, Tom asks Dr. Stefanie DeLuca, about the differences in how individuals prioritize what they want in a home and in a neighborhood.

The Lines Between Us is made possible by grants from Associated Black Charities, Cohen Opportunity Fund, Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, Baltimore Community Foundation, and Open Society Institute-Baltimore, as well as support from members of the WYPR Board of Directors.

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Nicole's extended interview.mp3

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DeLuca on housing needs.mp3