Housing Voucher Receipt and the Quality of Schools Available to Recipient Children

• In Event: Health in Education

Abstract

Using data on a sample of housing voucher recipients from across Wisconsin, we analyze the relationship between voucher receipt and educational opportunities of children in recipient households. We examine the extent to which voucher receipt results in households relocating to a different school district. We estimate the effect of voucher receipt on the quality of the school district—as measured by average standardized test scores in the district—in which recipient households reside. Finally, for a subset of recipient households we estimate the effect of voucher receipt on the quality of the specific school attendance zone— measured by average standardized test scores—in which recipient households live. Findings indicate voucher receipt induces cross-boundary relocation to higher quality public schools.

Authors

• Barbara Wolfe, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Deven Edward Carlson, University of Oklahoma

• Robert H Haveman, University of Wisconsin - Madison