University of Mary Washington Sociology Professor Leslie E. Martin discusses her research into society’s and government’s bias in favor of home ownership during an interview scheduled to air on the “With Good Reason” public radio program beginning Saturday, October 3.
Martin, an assistant professor of sociology, suggested in the interview that in light of the foreclosure crisis driving Americans out of their homes, it may be time to rethink the government’s longstanding effort to promote home ownership. The endorsement of the American dream of owning a home has de-valued the position of renters and had negative consequences for the housing needs of low-income Americans, Martin said.
Further, she has found that efforts to address the foreclosure crisis have focused overwhelmingly on encouraging home buying as a way to stimulate the economy and protect neighborhoods, even though estimates suggest that up to 40 percent of those losing their homes due to foreclosure are renters.
Martin’s interview, part of a broadcast called “The History of ‘White Flight’ ,” will air on WCVE 88.9 FM on Saturday, October 3 at 4:30 p.m. and on WAMU 88.5 FM on Monday, October 5 at 12:30 a.m. In addition, the broadcast can be heard online beginning October 3 at www.withgoodreasonradio.org/2009/10/there-goes-the-neighborhood.
Martin received a Ph.D. in sociology from Emory University, an M.A. in urban studies from Temple University, and a B.A. in history from The College of William and Mary. Her areas of specialization include urban sociology, race/ethnic relations, and sociology of education, with a focus on issues of neighborhood and community change. She teaches courses in social problems, urban sociology, sociology of education and cross-cultural education.
As part of Martin’s extensive research into attitudes about housing, she has examined years of public debate over, and media coverage of, affordable housing in growing urban areas. Martin has found that affordable housing generally is portrayed as a social or economic good—if it is owner-occupied or intended for the gainfully employed, but deemed objectionable if it’s low income or rental. Martin says the prevailing perception is that “affordable housing” can lead to instability and other neighborhood ills.
“With Good Reason” is the only statewide public radio program in Virginia. It hosts scholars from Virginia’s public colleges and universities who discuss the latest in research, pressing social issues and the curious and whimsical. “With Good Reason” is produced for the Virginia Higher Education Broadcasting Consortium by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and is broadcast in partnership with public radio stations in Virginia and Washington, D.C.