The Impact of Low- and Moderate-Wealth Homeownership on Parental Attitudes and Behavior: Evidence from the Community Advantage Panel

Publication Date

January 2009

Author(s)

Johanna K.P. Greeson, Mathieu Despard, Michal Grinstein-Weiss, Roberto G. Quercia, Susanna S. Birdsong, Yeong Hun Yeo

Client/Funder

Ford Foundation

Read the Publication

Overall differences in parental outcomes between low-income homeowners and renters on parental outcomes are statistically non-significant, implying that tenure per se is not associated with parental attitudes and behavior.

Considerable research has suggested that homeownership imparts a variety of positive individual, family, neighborhood and community effects. Yet, much of the research to date has failed to examine such effects by level of income.

This study adds to the limited research on the impact of assets on parental attitude and behavior among low- and moderate-income (LMI) families. Data used in this study are from the evaluation of Self-Help’s Community Advantage Home Loan Secondary Market Program. Specifically, we focus on the differences in the demographic and financial backgrounds, and parental attitudes and behavior between LMI homeowners and a comparison group of renters (n = 815 owners; n = 333 renters).

Logistic regression analyses are used to model parental attitude and behavior outcomes on tenure, controlling for a variety of household characteristics.

Results show that the overall differences between homeowners and renters on parental outcomes are statistically nonsignificant. This finding implies that tenure per se is not associated with parental attitudes and behavior. Explanations for the possible reasons for the lack of a tenure effect are discussed. Policy implications are forwarded.