The Effects of Public Housing on Children: Evidence from Colombia

Adriana Camacho, Valentina Duque, Michael Gilraine and Fabio Sanchez Torres

No 30090, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We analyze the effect of Colombia's ambitious "Free Housing" program on children's educational outcomes. The program was generous, giving free housing to beneficiaries in desirable areas. We evaluate the program by leveraging housing lotteries and linking applicants to their children. We find that public housing increases high school graduation by seven percentage points – a seventeen percent increase relative to the control mean – and boosts exit exam scores and college-going. Using a survey to explore mechanisms, lottery winners report better environmental conditions and shorter commute times. Their children also attend better schools and live in neighborhoods with less crime.

JEL-codes: I24 I38 O18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-lam and nep-ure
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