An Evaluation of Crime-Free Housing Ordinances

• In Event: The Law's Impact on Private Lives at the Boundaries of the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

Over 2000 US cities have crime-free housing ordinances (CFHOs). Despite the prevalence of CFHOs, no previous research has investigated if this policy achieves its stated aim of reducing crime. Evaluating this policy is particularly important given the potential to limit civil rights: CFHOs require low-income housing units to include a supplemental lease agreement as part of their standard lease, stating law enforcement can compel landlords to evict tenants, even without an arrest or conviction for a crime.

Using a synthetic difference-in-difference approach and a spatial first-difference model, we estimate policy effects between- & within- cities, on property & violent crime rates, median rent prices, and eviction rates. Our data comprises all cities within California. We additionally constructed a new dataset on eviction rates for California cities between 2017-2021. Analysis choices are additionally informed by rapid semi-structured interviews conducted with reentry organizations, legal aid organizations, and individuals who were formerly incarcerated.

Our initial results suggest CFHOs have a null effect on crime rates & median rent prices but increase eviction rates. Data analysis also indicates that eviction rates, in general, are likely much higher than previously discussed in literature.

Author

• Max G. Griswold, RAND Corporation