Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research to outreach activities included collecting and analyzing interview data, primary survey data, and secondary data to explore the housing and neighborhood conditions, needs, preferences, and satisfaction of low-income families to better understand how parents with limited resources find, maintain, and evaluate housing for their children. Findings informed the development, evaluation, and revision of Extension programs including RentWise, Home Stretch, and Healthy Homes for America's Children to help households stabilize housing, maintain healthy environments, and make informed decisions . Mentoring included two graduate students' theses. Activities included staff development and program support for Extension Educators and professionals in the public and non profit sectors in Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska as well as a educational workshops at American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and Urban Extension Conferences. Findings were also incorporated into reports and presentations for the Governor's Emerging Markets Homeownership Initiative. Events included the Minnesota Affordable Housing Symposium, June 19 - 20, 2007. Seventy-six architects, housing developers and providers, researchers, and students participated in a symposium to explore innovative ideas to improve the development of affordable housing. I curated an exhibition at the Goldstein Museum, Leading from Policy to Practice: Affordable Housing in Minnesota April 21 - July 1, 2007. Events were designed to disseminate research information to decision makers on the role of housing, especially housing developed for low-resource families, in economic development and community well-being. Services included consultation with the Presbyterian Church USA on a report, From Homelessness to Hope: Constructing Just, Sustainable Communities for All God's People, summarizing reasons for homelessness and appropriate faith-based responses to homelessness including a proposal for the Presbyterian Foundation's Creative Investment program to invest in gap financing for the development of affordable housing. I also developed and presented a 60 minute presentation on affordable housing for the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation; it was subsequently shown on local cable. I also participated on advisory boards, advocacy groups, collaboratives, and organized and facilitated a University-Community of Interest discussion group around affordable housing. Products included curricula and educational materials for individuals and families often at-risk for housing issues and property managers of multi-family rental units: Cheple, M., & Bruin, M.J. (2006). RentWise: Protecting your properties. University of Minnesota Extension Service; Bruin, M.J. (2006). RentWise: The Game. St. Paul: University of Minnesota Extension Service; Bruin, M.J.(2005). RentWise: Guia & Organizador Para Inquilinos. St. Paul: University of Minnesota Extension Service; Bruin, M.J. (2004). RentWise: Facilitator's Manual. St. Paul: University of Minnesota Extension Service; and Bruin, M.J. (2004). RentWise: Renter's Workbook/Organizer. St. Paul: University of Minnesota Extension Service. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators on data analysis and interpretation included Christine C. Cook, Sue Crull, and Mack C. Shelley, Iowa State University; Becky L. Yust, Sarah J. Bellefuil, Bernice Dodor, Amanda Smoot, and Kimberly Skobba, University of Minnesota; Sharon Laux, University of Missouri; Jean Memken Illinois State University; Shirley Niemeyer, University of Nebraska; and, B. J. White, Kansas State University. Partner Organizations included the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, the Emerging Markets Homeownership Initiative, and the McKnight Foundation. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include professionals and citizens included in the design, development, and provision of affordable housing for example, advocates, architects, housing developers and providers, policy makers, researchers, and students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Survey data collected from low-income participants in the comprehensive rental education program indicated that after the program they were more likely than a control group to manager their finances to pay rent on time, develop positive communication and business relationships with their landlords, and report that their housing had improved. Three reports were submitted. Yust, B.L., Bruin, M.J., & Bellefuil, S.J. (2008). Innovation in design of affordable housing: Report to the McKnight Foundation. McGee Brown, J., & Bruin, M.J. (2008) Rental Housing Pilot Program End of Year Report to Minnesota Housing. Bruin, M.J., & Plank, J. (2008). Report of EMHI pilot, Reaching out to Latino Families in South Central and Southeastern Minnesota, year end report to Emerging Markets Homeownership Initiative.
Publications
- Yust, B.L., Bruin, M.J., Bellefuil, S., & Dodor, B. (2008). Homeownership among emerging markets: The stories behind the numbers. In B.L. Yust (Ed.). Electronic proceedings (abstract) Housing Education and Research Association Conference Proceedings, Indianapolis, IN: Housing Education and Research Association. http://www.emhimn.org
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Activities included the administration for the second, third, and fourth waves of a survey; analyzing data; and, facilitating and teaching outreach programs. Preliminary findings influence RentWise, an outreach, tenant education program. Information was disseminated through two train-the-trainer workshops to a total of 44 attendees. I also revised the RentWise participant workbook/organizer which is in the University of Minnesota Extension distribution center. A major effort was the organization and production of two outreach activities around affordable housing. I was the guest curator for the exhibition "Leading from Policy to Practice: Affordable Housing in Minnesota" and I wrote an introduction and 12 case studies of affordable housing projects. I organized and facilitated a symposium, Affordable Housing in Minnesota: Celebrating, Designing, Innovating for the Future, for 76 individuals engaged in a variety of aspects of affordable housing. We reviewed the
individuals, organizations, policies, and programs that brought Minnesota to the forefront of affordable housing. Building on these experiences participants engaged in active small group discussions to design creative solutions to the affordable housing crisis. I also shared information and the summary report with the Economic Development Corporation in Vadnais Heights, a suburb of St Paul Minnesota; the presentation was disseminated on the local cable station. Finally, I shared information on affordable housing with the UMore Park task force.
Impacts
We began piloting a new research (findings from my community level research inform the team)to outreach program, Designing the Future: Community Strategies. The purpose is to integrate community development efforts in small rural towns with learning and public engagement in the University of Minnesota's College of Design, generate community-level research-to-outreach across disciplines such as graphic design, historic preservation, housing studies, landscape architecture, small museum development, and retail merchandising. In 2006-07, we focused on communities of approximately 2000 - 5000 residents in Greater Minnesota. We revised a community assessment tool (a product), developed an request for proposals, selected communities, trained on the assessment tool, submitted proposals to fund the project, and reviewed assessment data.
Publications
- Bruin, M.J., Cheple, M., & Niemeyer, S.M. 2007. Property Manager and Resident Knowledge. Electronic proceedings (abstract) Housing Education and Research Association, Charlotte, NC. October, 2007
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
I collected and entered survey data from 200 low-income households; respondents had completed RentWise, a nine-hour, tenant education program. I continue to collect survey data from new participants in the RentWise program as well as follow-up surveys from earlier respondents. Currently I am analyzing descriptive statistics of the 2006 RentWise participants. I am testing models of residential satisfaction with data from 77 Hmong respondents. The purpose is to understand the housing and neighborhood preferences of these new residents of Saint Paul Public Housing. For example, the Hmong residents are more likely to be satisfied with their housing unit than they are satisfied with their neighborhood. The next step is to uncover some of the factors influencing these relationships. I am also summarizing findings from a study of housing and community vitality. The findings highlight the importance of housing and social captial as positive influences on rural community
vitality. One research publication was recently published, one is "in-press", and another is undergoing a second review. I collaborated on summaries of the implications from this project for Extension programming. One outcome is a new research-to-outreach project around community design; the pilot was recently funded.
Impacts
Findings inform the RentWise program, which in turn help individuals develop the skills to maintain rental housing. The findings also help agencies such as Minnesota Housing as well as housing providers such as housing and redevelopment authorities better understand their residents. For example over the past two years, we have collected information on the demographics and housing preferences of new immigrants in public housing.
Publications
- Bruin, M.J., Cook, C.C., Shelley, M., & Crull, S. (2006). Social capital, housing planningm and rural community vitality. The International Scope Review, 8. Retrieved January 2, 2007, from http://www.socialcapital-foundation.org/TSCF/TSCF pct 20journal.html
- Niemeyer, S.M., Cook, C.C., Memken, J., Crull, S., Bruin, M., White, B.J., & Yust, B. (2007). Local housing and service decisions: Planning for Aging Adults in Rural Communities. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 20(4).
- Yust, B.L., Laux, S. Bruin, M.J., Cook, C.C., & Crull, S. (2006). Housing Needs in Rural Communities. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 98(4), 15-19.
- Bruin, M. (2006). Entries, Doors, Halls, and Stairs. In The House Handbook: Guidelines for Building or Remodeling Your Home (pp. 115-124). Ames, Iowa: MidWest Plan Service.
- Bruin, M.J., Smoot, A., & Yust, B. (2006). Propensity for homownership among single-parent women with Housing Choice Vouchers. In J. Memkin (Ed.) Housing Educators and Research Association Conference Proceedings. (pp. 7-11). Ithaca, NY: Housing Educators and Researchers Association.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
We continue to add subjects to our sample; currently about 150 households in the sample. We added variables from the 2000 census including crime rate, poverty rate, mean educational attainment, as well as racial makeup, proportion of female-headed households to describe census tracts. These variables are proxies for neighborhood context and allow us to include neighborhood effects in models. I am currently working on a model of residential satisfaction of low-resource families without housing assistance. My objectives are to explore the relationships between access to services, neighborhood effects including crime and social capital, satisfaction with housing that supports child development, and housing and neighborhood satisfaction. A paper from this data was presented at the Urban Affairs Association annual conference in 2005. In 2005, recent Hmong and Somali immigrant who need housing assistance through the Saint Paul Housing Authority are enrolled in the RentWise
program; they are also invited to participate in the research project. We now have access to the demographic and psycho social characteristics, as well as the housing goals, preferences, and satisfaction of recent immigrants settling in public housing. I am working with Dr. Tasoulla Hadjiyanni on a descriptive paper of the housing histories and needs of Hmong families receiving public housing assistance. I also plan to compare ethnic groups represented in the sample, African American, Hmong, Somali, and white to identify access to services and social capital as well as housing goals, preferences, and residential satisfaction. I continue to explore the characteristics of rental housing and the surrounding neighborhoods for low-resource individuals and families, particularly as it supports parenting and family well-being. I continue to work with the data set of families with Housing Choice Vouchers. A manuscript, Propensity for homeownership among voucher holders, will be presented at
the 2006 Urban Affairs Association annual conference and submitted Housing Policy Debate. I am working with collaborators, Drs. Cook, Crull and Yust, to finish manuscripts about housing in small rural communities. Dr. Cook and I presented a paper, Uncovering the dynamics of social capital, housing planning, and rural community vitality, at the International Social Capital Foundation Conference. The manuscript was further developed and submitted to the International Scope Review. Another manuscript is almost complete and will be submitted to Rural Sociology.
Impacts
Findings inform the RentWise program which in turn helps individuals develop the skill to maintain housing. The findings also help the St Paul Housing Authority better understand new immigrants in public housing.
Publications
- Bruin, M.J., & Jambunathan, S. (May, 2005) Relationships between housing, neighborhood, parenting attitudes, and perception of self-competence of preschoolers: A pilot study. Journal of Early Education and Family Review, 27-40.
- Yust, B.L., White, B.J., Laux, S., Bruin, M.J., Crull, S., & Cook, C. (2005). Housing Needs in Rural Communities. In American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Meeting Research Abstracts. Minneapolis, MN: American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
We have collected surveys from 89 households. The data were used to evaluate the RentWise program and were the basis for a report to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Comparative analysis of the data from RentWise participants and a control suggested that participants learned new skills and behaviors. For example, participants were more likely to use a spending plan with affordable rent, complete a neat, written rental application, request screening criteria when applying for rental housing, and practice good communication skills with landlords and neighbors. They were more likely to be in permanent housing, report improvement in their housing, positively evaluate their current neighborhood, and be satisfied with their current housing as well as the cost of their current housing. Furthermore they were more likely to feel positive about their life as a whole and to expect their standard of living to improve within the next three years. One of the most dramatic
findings was a difference in perception of how they were treated in the rental market. Participants were less likely to feel they experienced discrimination in their search for housing. Two additional indicators suggested that the RentWise program helped participants stabilize their housing. Our participants are less likely to rely on shelters or change schools for their children. We continue to enroll subjects in the study; we are making a concerted effort to enlarge the participant group as well as the control group.
Impacts
We are discovering what is successful and what needs additional attention in the RentWise program. Our findings are increasing the understanding of homeless and precariously housed households in the Twin Cities area for funders as well as shelter and service providers. The report to the housing finance agency will help them lobby for funds to provide housing and housing support programs such as education that will prevent homelessness. The RentWise program is included in the state's plan to end homelessness and participants in tenant education and to evaluate RentWise. The objective of the tenant education/outreach program is to help chronically homeless individuals build the skills needed to maintain stable, affordable housing. We also hope a pool of responsible, stable tenants will be a tangible benefit to landlords in the business of affordable housing.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
In 2003, data were collected from households in very precarious housing, such as homeless shelters and transitional housing. These householders participated in RentWise, a tenant education certificate program. The demographic characteristics of the sample reflect a population likely to experience multiple housing problems. The majority (55%) use homeless shelters. Ninety percent are female, 42% have never-married, mean family size is 3.19, 61% are African American, and 19% are employed. Forty-two percent are fearful about finding a job. They attempt to secure basic needs through social services; 68% report good to excellent access to services. Overall, the respondents report an inability to secure employment and housing and many appear discouraged by their opportunities. On another aspect of this study of the housing and neighborhood needs of low-resource families, data collection continues among households with Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly Section 8). Data
collection is complete in Aitkin and Carver Counties, as well as the cities of Brainerd and St. Cloud. Surveys are currently being administered in Minneapolis.
Impacts
One purpose of the study is to better understand participants in tenant education and to evaluate RentWise. The objective of the tenant education/outreach program is to help chronically homeless individuals build the skills needed to maintain stable, affordable housing. We also hope a pool of responsible, stable tenants will be a tangible benefit to landlords in the business of affordable housing.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Analysis has continued of the survey data collected from 64 (response rate 30%) parents with a Section 8 voucher in Carver County. Qualitative data from two sources were summarized: 1) An open-ended question included in the survey, "Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your family?", and 2) Focus group interviews with 16 participants expressed family and community concerns. My goal was to collect data from an urban population with a survey revised and approved in 2001. Collection of data from recipients of Section 8 housing assistance through the St Paul Public Housing Authority was unsuccessful; less than 10% percent of the surveys were returned and usable. Additional research funds were secured through a Grant-in-Aid from the UM Graduate School. The funds allow us to print more surveys and compensate respondents. The IRB Human Subjects request was revised for approval to include payments to respondents and currently awaits approval to mail surveys
to parents with Section 8 housing assistance in Crow Wing County. The research assistant developed a short survey to measure the housing needs and preferences of Russian-speaking immigrants in the Metro area. The survey is being reviewed by IRB. Funding from the Carver County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will cover printing and mailing costs.
Impacts
Findings helped inform the development of RentWise, a tenant education program for individuals and families at-risk for housing problems. The program was selected in 2002 as the basis for the Rental Housing Pilot Program in the metropolitan area. The program is supported with $400,036 from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to develop and evaluate a replicable, comprehensive tenant education program.
Publications
- Bruin, M. J., & Sandell, E. J. 2002. Enhanced comprehensive tenant education: A program for hard-to-house households. In Cook, Crull, and Auh (Eds.), American Association of Housing Educators Book of Abstracts (18-20). Minneapolis, MN: American Association of Housing Educators.
- Bruin, M.J., & Smoot, A. 2002. Section 8 housing vouchers: Providing family housing in the suburbs. In Cook, Crull, and Auh (Eds.), American Association of Housing Educators Book of Abstracts (21-23). Minneapolis, MN: American Association of Housing Educators.
- Crull, S.R., & Bruin, M.J. 2002. Housing Finance. Housing and Society, 28(1,2), 47-70.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Initial analysis of the survey data collected from 64 (response rate 30%) parents with a Section 8 voucher in Carver County was begun and qualitative data collected from two sources was summarized. The last page of the survey had the question, "Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your family?" Many respondents added very interesting comments that gave a glimpse into their day-to-day lives. Additional qualitative data was collected in focus group interviews; 16 participants expressed family and community concerns. Descriptive statistics were compared with Census data. Demographically survey respondents differed from the general population. Respondents were 97% female, 64% Caucasian, 47% have never married and another 33% were divorced or separated. Frequency distributions indicated that 69% of the respondents felt discriminated against because they rent; 69% believe people like themselves were discriminated against when trying to buy a house; and 85%
agreed that people like themselves had limited opportunities to choose a place to live. Analysis of written comments also identified concerns related to discrimination. Despite obstacles several respondents were very thankful they found suburban housing with the Section 8 subsidy. Parents appreciated the suburban schools and neighborhood safety. However, life in the suburban county was not without problems; social isolation was common among parents with housing assistance. On the other hand, many parents felt Carver County and surrounding communities provided a good setting for their family, especially for children. Section 8 vouchers helped respondents secure stable housing so they could concentrate on parenting and work. In general, the participants expressed preferences for a clean, safe, quiet home and were dissatisfied when they could not find it. The survey was revised; one revision focused on a matrix to capture race and ethnic information about all members of the household.
Focus group interviews indicated a number of the families were biracial. The original survey question asked the race of the respondent; it did not capture the frequency of biracial households. The survey was sent to the Institutional Review Board with a request for an expedited review and permission to extend the study until January 2003. Pending approval, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in Hennepin County will approached for permission to survey parents with a Section 8 voucher in Hennepin County.
Impacts
Problems around discrimination are a primary concern for low-resource parents. The Carver County Housing and Redevelopment Authority has begun providing more outreach information about fair housing. Low-income parents recognize the importance of stable housing and its impact on their ability to parent and provide for their children.
Publications
- Bruin, M. 2001. Living, Working, Parenting, and Section 8. In (Eds.) American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Meeting Research Abstracts: Invest in Families: Utilizing Emerging Technology. Providence, Rhode Island, June 29-July 3.
- Cook, C.C., Bruin, M.J., & Crull, S. 2000. Manipulating constraints: Women's housing and the metropolitan context. In K.B. Miranne & A.H. Young (Eds.), Gendering the city: Women, boundaries, and visions of urban life. New York: Rowan and Littlefield. 183-207.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Two components of my AES program of research were initiated in 2000. I collected primary survey data from families receiving Section 8 vouchers. Sixty-four parents (27% response rate) in a suburban county completed usable surveys; 20 of the respondents also participated in focus group interviews. Eleven families (55% response rate) in a rural county completed usable surveys. The survey collected information on family members, their housing, satisfaction, and beliefs about housing discrimination. Respondents also had space to add their own comments. Many interesting comments gave a glimpse into their day-to-day lives. Preliminary analysis of the data collected from parents in the suburban county indicated that families with Section 8 vouchers were more likely than the general county population to be headed by a female, and never married, or have divorced or separated from a spouse. Several comments on the last page related to experiences of discrimination. Seventy-one
percent felt discriminated against because they participated in a public assistance program. Sixty-nine percent felt discriminated against because they rented; sixty-nine percent believed people like themselves were discriminated against when trying to buy a house; and eighty-five percent agreed that people like themselves have limited opportunities to choose a place to live. With a median income of $12,000, the vouchers provided support to many who otherwise may not have had the means to secure housing. Seventy-three percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with their housing. However, written comments were mixed. For example, one said, 'We are very grateful for our metro HRA voucher.' Another commented, 'We have a beautiful new townhome, I love the neighborhood, I love the school.' A single mother related, 'Subsidized housing has helped me be able to choose the place I am in now.' Other respondents were frustrated and dissatisfied. Common complaints centered on noise; either
noisy neighbors or neighbor who complained about noisy children. Another concern was safety. One respondent commented, 'I get very scared in this building. It is always dirty and loud. I cannot wait to move. I know that no-where is totally safe, but this building is very unsafe.' A second project focused on community attempts to provide housing and the relationships between local policy decisions and community vitality. Structured focus group interviews were conducted with community leaders, business people, and providers of housing and support services to examine trends in rural communities' response to local housing needs. In three communities with varying economies, we found differences and similarities in housing activities. Each community had engaged in the development of senior housing with varying degrees of success. Responses to the problem of how to develop affordable housing for moderate and middle-income households ranged from bewilderment to active, collaborative
projects.
Impacts
Preliminary analysis of survey data, comments on surveys, and focus group interviews influenced two activities: 1. Development of tenant education program for low-resource renters to encourage housing stability; and 2. Accounts of discrimination were shared with Legal Services for a report to the Metropolitan Council. An analysis of responses to housing needs in small rural towns helped identified important roles for educators interested in housing and community development: 1.Form and facilitate collaboratives that link housing and economic development; and 2. Share information about state and federal programs with local decision makers
Publications
- Bruin, M., Crump, J., & Ziebarth, A. (2000). Housing in rural Minnesota: responding to economic and public policy change. (Pp. 17-18). In J. Atiles (Ed.), American Association of Housing Educators Book of Abstracts.
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