The Heterogenous Effects of Residential Investment on Crime at Street Segments

• In Event: Communities and Place: Housing and Neighborhood Crime

Abstract

Recent research suggests that residential investment in the form of structural home repairs, new construction, and home renovation is associated with reductions in crime. This raises the question of whether there are factors that amplify or depress the crime reductive benefits of such investment. The current study uses longitudinal data from six large U.S. cities over an 11-year period to explore moderating influences that might produce greater returns in crime reduction. We estimate spatial Durbin models with block group and census tract by year fixed effects to examine the effects of one indicator of investment, building permits, on changes in crime at street segments over time and the extent to which such effects vary by residential stability, housing values, and housing density. We discuss the implications of our findings for public safety, urban planning, and community development.

Authors

• Marie Skubak Tillyer, University of Texas at San Antonio

• Rebecca J. Walter, University of Washington

• Arthur Acolin, University of Washington