When does residential mobility benefit low-income families? Evidence from recent housing voucher programmes

Policy reforms try to improve education or employment while individuals remain in the same locations - these reforms often fail. Such policies may be fighting an uphill battle as long as individuals live in the same social contexts. Findings from Chicago's Gautreaux programme suggest that residential mobility is a possible lever. By moving into more advantaged neighbourhoods, with higher-quality schools and better labour markets, mothers had improved employment rates and children had access to better educational settings and jobs. However, a subsequent mobility programme (MTO) was conducted with a randomised field trial and child and family outcomes were more mixed We speculate about what kinds of moves and social settings are required in order to effect improved economic and social outcomes.