PRELIMINARY FIELD RESEARCH

Throughout June 2000 - September 2000, GSD undertook preliminary field research visits conducted in Houston, TX; Norfolk, VA; Portland, OR; and Springfield, MA. Teams of public and private housing experts met in Cambridge to plan methodology and to share insights and findings. The approach for these sites and the observations made are also detailed in the Progress Report.

The teams reviewed PHA organization, management styles, budgeting processing and physical housing stock (Progress Report, page 8). Data collection was conducted with both the host Housing Authority and with assisted properties in each city.

Currently, additional PHA's are being visited to study costs, budgeting, accounting methods and delivery of services. These include Boston, MA; Atlanta, GA; St. Louis, MO; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; as well as several sites in Rhode Island.

Click here to review our Field Site letter of introduction and Apartment Owner's Fact Sheet used to explain the scope of the study to multi-family housing owners and operators.

Initial Study Topics

Preliminary Field Research
Additional Field Research
Focus Groups
Data Sources
Utility Sub-sample