The Other Side of Hope: Squandering Social Capital in Louisville’s HOPE VI

Abstract

This qualitative study followed 40 households displaced in Louisville’s HOPE VI redevelopment of Clarksdale public housing. The authors argue that though the goals to alleviate distressed housing and deconcentrate poverty were laudable, Louisville’s housing authority gave insufficient consideration to the effects of policy on poor people in their communities. The processes and results in Louisville disrupted communities, perpetuated disempowerment, and favored deconcentration of poverty over poverty reduction. Through the lens of a preferential option for the poor, the authors argue that HOPE VI would be more likely to achieve its stated goals if built upon existing foundations of social capital.