Comparing the Health of Relocated Public Housing Residents and Current Residents of a Historically Black Community: The Moderating Role of Social Cohesion

Abstract

This study examined the effects of public housing relocation on the physical and mental health and overall self-reported health status of relocated residents. As a contrast, health outcomes of relocated residents were compared to residents of the larger community who did not live in public housing. The sample was drawn from a historically Black community (HBC) near central Florida. Data used for this study were collected as part of the Choices Neighborhood Initiatives’ grant. In several regression models, the moderating effects of social cohesion on the relationship between resident status and health were assessed. Results showed relocated public housing residents reported more physical and mental health problems and poorer self-reported health compared to current residents of the broader community. In the fully adjusted models, social cohesion moderated the association between resident status and mental health. Our results suggest higher levels of social cohesion within public housing environments may be protective of poor mental health postrelocation for relocated residents.