Citation

Perfater MA, Allen GR. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 617: 19-25.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper discusses the preliminary findings from phase 1 of a program for relocation assistance. Households relocated in Virginia between July 1, 1972, and December 31, 1974, were interviewed to study the effects of relocation. The interviewees were part of a stratified random sample drawn from the families who had been relocated during the study period. Items addressed include attitudes toward the relocation program, the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, and department personnel; compatability with respect to neighborhood and dwelling; adequacy of compensation; and problems of racial groups and elderly persons. In addition, the extent to which time attenuates negative responses was also examined. Each of the above items was analyzed in relation to the age, income, occupation, education, tenure, and race of the respondent; length of occupancy in the original dwelling; and type of project. Three-fourths of those relocated had a favorable opinion of the program, the department, and its personnel; however, home owners rated the entire relocation experience much less favorably than did tenants. Unfavorable attitudes toward the relocation experience were found not to significantly attenuate with time. The percentage of those pleased with their replacement housing (63) was greater than the percentage pleased with their replacement neighborhood (35). Sixty-two percent of the respondents felt the monetary compensation was adequate while 34 percent were dissatisfied with it. The reasons most often cited by the dissatisfied persons were low appraisals or insufficient additives, payment-timing problems, and debt-status changes. Among both blacks and the elderly the qreatest dissatisfaction with the program stemmed from the amount of the payment received. In addition, the elderly exhibited a greater need for services and assistance than did those younger.