Bankruptcy stigma is commonly thought to influence debtors' bankruptcy filing decisions. Despite its importance, researchers have not collected direct quantitative measures of bankruptcy stigma, either in terms of attitudes toward bankruptcy or evaluations of filers. Across two empirical...

This study extends the theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) to the domain of homeownership. We used a four-year longitudinal dataset of 919 low-and-moderate income (LMI) renters to explore factors associated with greater homeownership intentions and actual home purchases. Our findings...

We examine the personal bankruptcy decisions of lower-income homeowners before and after the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA). Econometric studies suggest that personal bankruptcy is explained by financial gain rather than adverse events, but data constraints have...

Filing for bankruptcy is the primary legal mechanism by which homeowners in foreclosure can exert control over ownership of their home, yet little is known about the interplay between bankruptcy chapters, mortgage servicers, state foreclosure laws, and home foreclosure auctions. We analyze 4,280...

Introduction -- Methods -- Physical health limitations and financial hardship -- Financial stress and satisfaction -- Mental health and sense of control -- Local voting -- Civic engagement -- Social capital -- Collective efficacy and perceived crime -- Homeownership: mechanisms and dependencies...

Homeownership has long been considered the cornerstone of the American dream, and considerable research has pointed to the social benefits of homeownership for both families and communities. Yet research concerning this link between homeownership and social participation has recently undergone...