Caminos en "El Norte": Publicly Subsidized Housing and College Accessibility in North Philadelphia

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Five
  In Roundtable Session: Institutional Mechanics: Navigating Recruitment, Admissions, and Accessibility (Table 1)

Abstract

Despite Philadelphia’s abundance of postsecondary institutions within a 20 mile radius, many publicly subsidized housing residents have minimal experience engaging in postsecondary education. Qualitative data was collected in collaboration with HACE, a Latino organization in North Philadelphia, where focus groups were held for 72 participants: 59 residents and 13 staff. In addition to the qualitative data, geographic information systems (GIS) was used to analyze access to higher education and public transportation. We found a lack of proximity to 4-year colleges in North Philadelphia and low attendance rates. West Philadelphia and Center City resulted in more transit access to more selective universities 4-year universities. These findings address the largely overlooked resident-student population, and how transit may contribute to college-going behavior.

Authors

• Amalia Z. Dache, University of Pennsylvania
  Presenting Author

• Harold Stopler, Columbia University
  Presenting Author

• Jonathon Sun, University of Pennsylvania
  Presenting Author

• Liam Kearney, Columbia University
  Presenting Author

• Astrid Pickenpack, University of Pennsylvania
  Presenting Author