Housing needs and effective policies in high-tech metropolitan economies

What are the most effective ways to provide low-income housing to those left behind in new economy housing markets? Do winners and losers in high-tech competition require federal housing strategies geared to metropolitan differences? This article examines 45 large metropolitan areas grouped along a high-tech spectrum to see who is disadvantaged and to deduce effective local low-income housing strategies from market characteristics. Finding affordable housing was, on average, more difficult for low-income renters and owners in high-tech economies in the 1990s. Nonetheless, high-tech metropolitan economies, like other local/regional markets, vary greatly. Sharp differences among and within metropolitan markets make it essential that federal strategies allow local policies to respond to local conditions. To most effectively provide low-income housing to those left behind in all markets, federal policy should target sufficient resources to severe housing needs through many more vouchers and programs that permit and encourage effective local choices.