The Effect of Residential Mobility and Household Composition on Housing Quality

Abstract

Annual Housing Survey data are used to examine whether recent movers improve their housing quality through a local move and whether the process differs by household composition. Residential mobility tends to improve housing quality, while differences by sex of household are mediated through higher rates of involuntary mobility, lower incomes, and a higher likelihood of being black among female householders. Implications for future housing policy for different types of female householders are reviewed.