A national housing allowance program : an examination of its practicality based upon existing empirical and theoretical evidence

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, based upon existing empirical and theoretical evidence, the general practicality of a national housing allowance program. In undertaking this evaluation, it was necessary to determine four things. Namely: 1. How recipients of housing allowance might be affected by them; 2. What type of effects a housing allowance program would have on housing markets; 3. Whether of not an allowance program could be administered effectively; and 4. Whether or not a national housing allowance program could be undertaken at a reasonable cost. In making these general determinations, data from a variety of sources was utilized. These sources of information included: a) the national Housing Allowance Experimental Program; b) two Model Cities allowance demonstration projects; c) several existing "allowance type" programs (ie. The Welfare Shelter Grant Program, the military grants for quarters program, and the relocation adjustment payments program); and d) a variety of foreign housing allowance programs. The author concluded, that one of four alternative allowance schemes examined, could be judged as practical. He stressed, however, that even this allowance scheme would be no panacea for this Country's housing ills.