Weicher provides an analysis of assistance programs for low-income households in federal housing policy since the early 20th century. The book begins with an appropriate review of the historical development of federal housing programs. Weicher then argues that since FDR's New Deal housing policies, low-income residents of urban neighborhoods have not witnessed improvements in crime, unemployment, or health. As an economist, the author writes nine chapters to build the argument that federal housing subsidies have been largely ineffective for decades. Weicher asserts that HUD's policies did not induce the production of affordable, decent housing. He argues that the best policy response is to embrace housing vouchers that provide households with greater choice and lower the costs of the housing programs. It is a nice addition to the literature because it contributes to an understanding of the political debate on housing assistance. Practitioners will benefit from the author's experiences. Summing Up: Recommended. Professional collections.
CHOICE
Weicher is a wise housing veteran who has worked in the government and in the private sector. This book adds a deep alternative perspective on affordable housing to the perspectives of many books that have been published recently. It cannot only be used as a textbook in graduate classes on housing economics or housing policy but also provides chapters for graduate classes in public finance and budgeting, program evaluation, policy making processes, and perspectives on how Washington works and ‘gets stuff done.’
International Journal of Housing Policy