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Housing and Community Development

(Research projects are listed alphabetically by last name of principal or lead investigator under the primary research focus.)



Investigating Housing Needs and Whether Low-Income Housing Affects Property Values in Nashville

Michael Nelson

The Housing Fund partnered with Center for Community Studies researchers to comprehensively document the housing needs of middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky. These analyses were presented at a mayoral campaign forum on affordable housing. This research also investigated the relationship between subsidized housing and nearby property values between 1997 and 2005 in Davidson County. The research found that there was no relationship between property values and proximity to subsidized housing.
Funding: The Housing Fund



The Mayor’s Task Force to End Chronic Homelessness

Doug Perkins, Principal Investigator; Carrie Hanlin, Kimberly Bess, Diana Jones, Scot Evans and Theresa Armstead

One of the first Center for Community Studies projects involved research, planning and facilitation for the Nashville Mayor’s Task Force to develop a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness. Task Force Chairman Doug Perkins worked with students to assist Metro staff, Task Force leaders, and work groups on homelessness and health, housing, economic stability and system coordination. The Task Force led to the creation of the Homelessness Commission to implement the 10-year plan.
Funding: Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Vanderbilt Office of Community Public and
Government Relations



The Impact of Neotraditional/New Urbanist Community Design and Planning Features on Sense of Community and Quality of Life

John Vick and Doug Perkins

A semi-structured survey of residents, as well as social observation and environmental assessment of a large neotraditionally designed community and a socioeconomically comparable standard suburban planned community, compared resident satisfaction with their homes and neighborhoods, sense of community and other community-focused cognitions, and the general quality of life.
Funding: Southern Land Corporation