J. Rosie Tighe

Reports findings of an empirical study of enforcement of nuisance ordinances, finding that cities often target survivors of domestic violence, people experiencing a mental health crisis, nonprofit organizations serving people with disabilities, people seeking life-saving medical intervention to prevent a fatal drug overdose, and non-criminal behavior. Shows how cities use CANOs to exile their most vulnerable residents, codifying a path into homelessness into public policy. Concludes that cities should reevaluate gratuitous and illegal policies that needlessly destabilize housing and churn through renters.

Discusses Criminal Activity Nuisance Ordinances (CANOs), local laws found in thousands of cities throughout the country which penalize property owners if repeated incidents of criminal activity related to their property occur over a set period of time. Finds these laws often have consequences for survivors of domestic violence and others experiencing crisis.

Analyzes whether the housing-only approach is a complete one and whether increased transportation investments in redeveloping neighborhoods in shrinking cities can be leveraged to improve the lives of the poor. Suggest that funding for subsidized housing does not produce units affordable to the poor in declining cities, limiting the efficacy of a housing- only approach.

Analyzes how urban renewal unfolded in Asheville, how people perceive the injustices associated with urban renewal, and the legacy that urban renewal programs undertaken by the city of Asheville may have on future planning efforts. Investigates the policy intentions, implementation style, and community participation efforts of the urban renewal projects undertaken during the 1960s and 1970s in the East Riverside neighborhood. Explores how perceived and real missteps during that period continue to affect planners and policy makers today. 

Investigates the extent to which housing policy and planning in the U.S. successfully achieves the goals of equity and fairness or whether NIMBY forces operating within (and beyond) ‘democratic’ planning processes override those principles in siting decisions.

Investigates four cities that were important to the Civil Rights Movement to examine demographic, economic, and sociocultural trends and how they affect racial minority groups. Argues that, despite considerable improvement in terms of poverty rate, unemployment, and income, Blacks continue to remain substantially behind Whites in these cities, indicating that desegregation and access to opportunity has done little to close the black-white opportunity gap.

Analyzes three significant planning interventions in St. Louis, MO that spurred displacement of populations: Urban Renewal, Triage, and the Foreclosure Crisis. Argues that the differential experiences of Black and White during each of these periods represents two faces of development: one in the north of the city that is largely Black, experiencing vacant land, high crime, and crumbling infrastructure; another in the south of the city that is largely White, enjoying pockets of vibrant commercial development, larger homes, and stable real estate markets.

Investigates the impact of existing policies upon Appalachian communities and households – analyzing whether communities suffering from widespread foreclosures lack the governmental and non-profit resources necessary to adequately utilize funding and other resources to respond to the crisis.

Examines how perceptions of race and class shape opinions that underlie public opposition to affordable housing. Argues that such perceptions are particularly strong determinants of negative attitudes about affordable housing.

Brings together classic works and contemporary writing on the themes and debates that have animated the field of affordable housing policy as well as the challenges in achieving the goals of policy on the ground.