DIRECT AND DEFAULT POLICIES IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC-HOUSING

In the course of 60 years, public housing has been transformed from th e mixed gender institution envisioned by its proponents to housing occ upied primarily by unmarried women. This paper proposes that the trans ition is due to more than the feminization of the poverty population. It also can be attributed to a combination of direct and default gover nment policies. Among direct policies affecting the composition of pub lic housing are site selection decisions, eligibility criteria,and wel fare regulations. Among the default policies contributing to higher ra tes of poverty among women are lack of child support enforcement, abse nce of a proactive national family policy, and women's limited access to military benefits. The author offers suggestions for ways in which public housing might be more responsive to its col?temporary status as a gendered space.