This presentation is about the importance of neighborhood context in childhood outcomes, and the role of housing mobility services in reducing barriers to residential choice. We will share findings from an analysis of local moving patterns among households with housing vouchers, and describe how local government and nonprofit partners have worked together as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Choice Demonstration. Pittsburgh-Allegheny County is one of eight sites participating in the national Demonstration, which includes the provision of mobility-related services and a rigorous program evaluation.

Presented by Nicholas Cotter and Colleen Cain, Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Colleen Cain, PhD, is an analyst and project manager at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. In addition to supporting the agency’s work to reduce homelessness and promote housing stability, she coordinates the work of many partners involved in the Pittsburgh metro area’s Community Choice Demonstration. Previously, Colleen worked as a project developer/manager/applied researcher at the Pittsburgh-based UrbanKind Institute and the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Social and Urban Research, as well as the Washington, DC-based Northeast-Midwest Institute. She earned masters and doctoral degrees in sociology from the University of Florida.

Nick Cotter is an analyst with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) where he engages in research to practice, with a focus on community violence, neighborhoods and affordable housing policy. Nick is involved with DHS’ participation in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Choice Demonstration and led the creation of the Allegheny County Community Violence Reduction Initiative. Born and raised in South Pittsburgh, Nick is also the founder of the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Project and does free lance writing for outlets like Public Source.