“The ‘Projects’ Are Nice Now”: Resident Perspectives on the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program

The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), seeks to improve and preserve affordable housing by converting traditional public housing (Section 9) to Section 8 rental assistance. This study examined a RAD conversion in California’s Central Valley, one of the first in the nation, to understand residents’ experiences and their perspective on the program. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews with residents across three RAD sites: a small city and two rural areas. Residents identified four main outcomes of the RAD conversion: (a) upgraded heating/cooling systems and appliances; (b) improved unit layout, aesthetics, and conditions; (c) perceived safety and connectedness; and (d) enhanced resident resources and pride of place. Areas for improvement included increased resident education throughout the RAD process, as well as improving social support and community-building efforts among residents. Our article demonstrates notable (and mostly positive) results associated with RAD conversions according to residents. This is especially relevant as housing authorities across the United States proceed to implement RAD, particularly in large urban areas. Future research should continue to evaluate the impact of the RAD program, with particular emphasis on resident outcomes.