Decarcerating neighborhoods : insight into the siting and management of transitional housing in Austin, TX

Research shows that transitional housing tends to be sited in Black and Brown neighborhoods and areas that lack social and economic opportunities. To examine how transitional housing is sited, I conducted a descriptive spatial analysis, a quality of life facility analysis, and interviews with transitional housing coordinators in the city Austin. The findings of this research paints a more nuanced picture: a practice of refusal observed in Austin enables the development of transitional housing to happen in a wide-range of residential areas and avoid land use restrictions. This practice of refusal is beneficial for transitional housing residents whose access to quality of life facilities such as public transportation, grocery stores, and greenspace, has a positive impact on their well-being during the recovery and reentry period.