CHURP Projects

CHURP is developing a novel dataset of all rent controlled properties in the District of Columbia. This dataset will then be linked to administrative data to study the economic condition and demographics of owners and renters of rent-controlled units.

The burden of climate change is not evenly shared. People experiencing homelessness (PEH) tend to be more exposed and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because they spend extended periods of time outdoors, have limited access to health care, protective equipment, or places to go with sufficient air filtration. PEH also have significantly higher rates of morbidity, mortality and reduced life expectancies even when compared to housed individuals living in poverty. Exposure to climate impacts can perpetuate these poor health, mortality, and life expectancy patterns. This analysis investigates exposure to climate impacts amongst PEH using 311 service request data to locate PEH in cities like New York, Texas, and California. We then use climate impact tracking datasets from NASA, NOAA, and the CDC to understand locational exposure to climate impacts including air pollution and extreme heat amongst PEH. We reach conclusions about regional practices that may contribute to their climate vulnerability and suggest reforms to improve health outcomes among this marginalized population.

People, specially young children and older individuals, spend a significant amount of time indoors. A deteriorating home can pose more safety and health hazards (e.g., lead and peeling paint-dust infiltration), and practices can increase exposure to contaminants (burning of candles, paint jobs, fireplace use, use of harsher cleaning agents). This project will determine the health of 50 minority homes in the Greensboro area through sampling and testing, access the knowledge base of residents on the health of their home, and importantly provide resources and tips to improve their homes. Data collected will be compared to national standards.

In Maryland, the State government and a consortium of private companies are investing billions to construct a light rail line due to open by 2026. A variety of government, private, and non-profit actors known as the Purple Line Corridor Coalition are trying to achieve a vision of equitable transit-oriented development without displacement of incumbent residents. Displacement occurs due to escalating housing costs- a social problem associated with gentrification. In this research, we ask if gentrification is already occurring at the neighborhood level along the Purple Line Corridor, and if it's attributable to the new investment in transit. Second, we ask if residents in the Purple Line corridor are more likely to experience affordability issues, whether residential or commercial, in gentrifying neighborhoods.

U.S. renters are facing an affordable housing crisis that has been created, in part, by the conversion of affordable rental apartments to luxury apartments and condominiums. To stem the tide of displacement created by conversions, housing advocates have called for the adoption of laws to mitigate displacement and protect tenants’ rights to remain in their rental units. A few local governments in the nation’s capital area have adopted anti-displacement policies that grant renters the “right to purchase” (RTP). The purpose of this research is to examine the efficacy of RTP policies in preserving affordable housing opportunities for low-income households and persons of color.

The impact of Short-Term Rental (STR) housing provided  through Airbnb and others on local housing market has been the subject of intense and publicized debate among market actors, including lawmakers, developers, housing providers, and renters in many urban areas.   While there is growing literature on how STR providers affect rents, neighborhood change and displacement of lower income renters, little research has been done on whether Airbnb and other STRs decrease affordable housing opportunities for Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) participants. Using proprietary Airbnb/VRBO listing data, property and income tax data from DC government and socio-economic data from U.S. Census, this study aims to explore the relationship between the expansion of Airbnb and housing supply affordable to lower income DC residents.  The DC Council enacted a regulation in 2008 that restricted the activities of Airbnb and other STRs in DC. Airbnb data for 2014-2022 allows us to assess the pre and post regulation effects of Airbnb on affordable housing market in DC.