Lifting Voices of Resident Leaders in Public Housing: Exploring Lived Experiences with Leadership

Purpose & Research Questions

Resident leaders, including resident commissioners, advisory board members, and council members, play pivotal roles in advocating for community needs and holding housing authorities accountable. The present research addresses how resident board members (Board of Commissioners and Resident Advisory Boards [RAB], and Resident Councils contribute to the stated HUD goal of creating and maintaining a positive living environment through the lens of resident board members. This research was exploratory, with the aim of better understanding resident leaders’ perceptions of their contributions to public housing governance and ways to enhance their value in the PHA-resident partnership. The four research questions are:

1. How do resident leaders perceive their contribution to the goal of creating and maintaining a positive living environment?
2. What resident leader characteristics best predict their perceived success in achieving the stated goal?
3. What do resident board members feel will improve their contributions to governance?
4. What is their level of satisfaction with current leadership training programs?
5. What are the factors contributing to resident leaders’ decision to participate in leadership roles in their communities?

Methods

A survey instrument was developed, reviewed by experts, and pretested with a sample of resident leaders. It included quantitative and qualitative questions. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance, with a sample size of N=190. The survey included demographic information, self-assessment as a leader, areas of greatest effectiveness as a leader, recommendations to improve effectiveness, training attended, most helpful aspects of training, views of leadership qualities, challenges, successes as a leader[SMT6] . Additionally, a sample of survey participants were selected for two virtual focus group. The focus groups of 1-1.5 hours were used to add depth to the findings that were received through the surveys, composed of all levels of leaders.

Results

Analysis revealed essential trends resident leaders expressed. Insights such as significant tenure in leadership roles and the democratic nature of leadership selection processes were discussed. Qualitative data from focus group discussions have highlighted challenges resident leaders face, including resource limitations and communication barriers with housing authority staff. Preliminary data found that nearly 60% of resident leaders had been in those positions for five or more years, residents in their community had elected 70% of respondents, and nearly 90% of the respondents were known for being staunch advocates for the needs of other residents. Overall, respondents described the experience of resident leadership as positive. However, resident leaders perceive the failure of HUD to invest in policy and fiscal support of resident leadership.

Implications

This study addresses a significant gap in the literature, providing empirical insights into the experiences of resident leaders as community advocates and organizers in public housing communities nationwide. The study also offers practical implications for policymakers, housing authorities, and practitioners seeking to enhance resident involvement and governance in public housing settings. Likewise, it contributes to ongoing discussions on the role of residents in shaping the future of public housing. It holds implications for the broader field of community development and social policy.