Working Paper: NBER ID: w30090
Authors: Adriana Camacho; Valentina Duque; Michael Gilraine; Fabio Sanchez
Abstract: We analyze the effect of Colombia's ambitious "Free Housing" program on children's educational outcomes. The program was generous, giving free housing to beneficiaries in desirable areas. We evaluate the program by leveraging housing lotteries and linking applicants to their children. We find that public housing increases high school graduation by seven percentage points – a seventeen percent increase relative to the control mean – and boosts exit exam scores and college-going. Using a survey to explore mechanisms, lottery winners report better environmental conditions and shorter commute times. Their children also attend better schools and live in neighborhoods with less crime.
Keywords: Public Housing; Children's Educational Outcomes; Colombia; Housing Lottery
JEL Codes: I24; I38; O18
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Improved school quality (I21) | Educational outcomes (I21) |
| Better neighborhood conditions (R23) | Educational outcomes (I21) |
| Increased family wealth (G59) | Educational outcomes (I21) |
| Public housing (R28) | High school graduation rates (I21) |
| Public housing (R28) | Probability of taking the ICFES exam (C12) |
| Public housing (R28) | Exam scores (C12) |
| Public housing (R28) | College attendance (I23) |