A study from the RAND Corporation evaluates the effect crime-free housing policies (CFHPs) had on crime rates and evictions over the past 25 years and explores the implementation of these polices. The authors also investigate how population demographics differ between the municipalities with CFHPs and those without.
The authors analyzed CFHPs and related polices, such as nuisance ordinances, across all 482 incorporated municipalities in California. They included crime data such as assault, burglary, and total crime counts, as well as sociodemographic information for the 2009–19 study period. They acquired eviction records from California sheriffs’ offices to construct annual census block group–level eviction counts. Finally, they conducted qualitative interviews with people who have faced eviction because of CFHPs, as well as staff members from organizations that work with those individuals.
From 1995 to 2020, 104 municipalities in California adopted crime-free housing policies (CFHPs), seeking to reduce crime rates in multifamily rental housing. Across the United States, it is estimated that 2000 cities adopted a CFHP by 2019. Proponents of CFHPs claim these policies reduce crime by deterring criminal activity in rental properties. Critics argue that CFHPs lead to increased evictions and disproportionally impact low-income individuals, particularly people of color.
The authors conclude that the evidence shows CFHPs do not effectively reduce crime, but they do increase evictions and are disproportionately implemented in areas with larger populations of color. These demographic differences make entities with CFHPs more vulnerable to Fair Housing Act violations when the residents most affected by the policy belong to a protected class.
The authors evaluate proponents' and critics' claims regarding the effects of CFHPs, examine the implementation and enforcement of CFHPs, and assess how CFHPs affect the lived experiences of tenants in California. Findings indicate that CFHPs do not achieve their intended objective of preventing or reducing crime, but use of CFHPs does lead to a significant increase in evictions.