Revisiting Measuring Resident Agency and Voice
Agency is key to economic mobility, health and advancing racial equity. SAHF members believe that in order to realize the full benefits of housing as a platform to create healthier and more equitable communities, housing and services must be connected in a way that recognizes and supports the agency of residents and gives them a real voice in how day-to-day life is carried out in their community. Even in properties operated by actors with a deep commitment to equity and well-being for their residents, residents may not experience the choices and sense of control that support equitable communities.
In collaboration with our members and partners, SAHF has previously published two reports on this topic: “Resident Voice and Agency in Affordable Rental Housing: A Qualitative Analysis” and “Measuring Agency and Voice in an Affordable Housing Setting.” In 2023, with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Success Measures, SAHF took the next steps of revisiting this body of work to bring it up-to-date. This resource guide details four key or foundational measures and seven “deeper dive” questions to measure agency and voice in an affordable housing setting. This guide is just a start. SAHF looks forward to documenting and learning with our members, peers, and others as we continue along this journey.