Do Smart-Growth Environments Benefit Single Mothers? Evidence from Thirty MSAs Using the American Housing Survey Data

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship of smart-growth environments at the local and regional levels to neighborhood satisfaction for single mothers and parents in two-parent families. It employs mixed-models using an extensive data set with micro-level data for respondents from thirty U.S. metropolitan areas. Findings indicated differential impacts of smart-growth measures on satisfaction, with some having positive effects and others having negative effects. When differences occurred, the impact of smart-growth environmental measures (positive or negative) was stronger for single mothers. Much of the difference in satisfaction between single mothers and other parents can be explained by differences in housing quality.