Predicting Mobility: Who Is Forced to Move?

Abstract

We use the 2013 American Housing Survey to examine which households are more likely to experience a forced move compared to a voluntary move. We examine how household vulnerability varies by racial and socioeconomic stratification, as well as other household demographics among homeowners and renters. We analyze household-level predictors of experiencing an inclusively defined forced move, including moves caused by disasters, private and government displacement, and eviction (for renters) or foreclosure (for homeowners). Comparing an inclusive definition of displacement to voluntary mobility, we find that lower levels of education, income, and the presence of a disabled household member increase the likelihood of displacement for homeowners. Among renters, the presence of children, older households, and being native-born increase the odds of displacement, but a female-headed household reduces them. When examining type-specific displacement, we find variation in who is most susceptible to experience a forced move.