Neighborhood Perception and the Impact on Academic Achievement in Housing Choice Voucher Participants

Housing Choice Vouchers have expanded housing opportunities for millions of low-income households throughout the United States. Vouchers provide low-income households the opportunity to move to different neighborhoods. A growing body of research has shown where a household resides has a large impact on both economic outcomes, and the quality of their children’s education. This is the third of a three-part research project which explored the effect neighborhood choice has on the academic achievement of Housing Choice Voucher participant’s high school aged children. Using survey data, this study explored the impact perceived neighborhood characteristics had on passing STAAR reading and mathematics exam. Of the 4,884 flyers mailed to households utilizing the Housing Choice Voucher, 77 participants used the QR code to access the questionnaire with 51 participants completing the questionnaire with the required information. The perceived characteristics explored in this study were increased neighborhood safety, increased neighborhood satisfaction, more educated residents, and lower single parent households. Findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and percentages.Of the four characteristics included in the questionnaire, the perceived characteristics of neighborhood safety, more educated residents, and lower single parent households scored the highest level of agreement among questionnaire participants.