Improving Communities through Integrated Data Systems: Energy Assistance and Neighborhood Stability

The Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance-Jacob France Institute (BNIA-JFI) at the University of Baltimore seeks to better understand the equity of access to programs that help households receive energy assistance to make weatherization improvements to reduce energy consumption. BNIA-JFI will study applicants and recipients of funds provided by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development‘s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Studies have shown that households in homes that have been weatherized experience greater residential stability and increased financial security. Analysis will focus on how access to WAP impacts the use of other social safety net programs, affects overall household employment stability, and how WAP-serviced homes may improve housing and neighborhood stability in areas where there is a concentration of investment.

Address-level property records from BNIA-JFI, including data on foreclosure filings, code violations, home sales, and rehabilitation permits, will be linked to a database of WAP applicants and recipients from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. In addition to BNIA-JFI’s property records, the Jacob France Institute’s (JFI) IDS on wage records and social assistance will also be linked to the database of WAP applicants and recipients. JFI maintains individual-level, longitudinal data from the Maryland Departments of Labor, Licensing and Regulations, Human Resources, and Education. Included in the JFI IDS are Unemployment Insurance Wage Record files and temporary cash assistance and SNAP administrative records.