All Research Topics

The USC Price Center for Social Innovation brings an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach to social innovation research. Through relevant, rigorous research, Price Center faculty explore a variety of topics that seek to inform and advance new models of equity and opportunity for low-income children and families.

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The Social Innovation Trap: Critical Insights into an Emerging Field
Emergency Aid Programs at USC and LACCD
Education
An Evaluation of the Emergency Aid Programs at the University of Southern California and Los Angeles Community College District

In its third year of implementation, the Leonetti/ O’Connell Family Foundation’s emergency aid programs at the University of Southern California (USC) and the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) have continued to provide direct cash assistance to students experiencing financial hardships.

Research
Criminal Justice
Building Safety In Los Angeles: A Policy Agenda For Local Health and Safer Communitie

This report aims to assist jurisdictions trying to reimagine public safety through focusing on key policy areas, and applies policy frameworks to present day Los Angeles.

Research
Housing Instability
Accelerating Employment Retention Strategies for the Precariously Housed

This report outlines the findings from the project’s activities including an employer survey, Innovation Lab sessions, and case studies

Research
Education
The Segregation Index

The Segregation Index will be a comprehensive resource for tracking neighborhood and school segregation in the U.S., across every neighborhood and every school.

Research
Inequality
Resilience and Rebuilding: Recommendations for an Equitable Recovery in South L.A.

This report examines ways to improve pandemic recovery and to remove pre-pandemic barriers in South Los Angeles.

Research
Inequality
Examining the Complex Social Safety Net For Low-Income Working Families

This report examines the resources and benefits available to families and identifies the points at which the social safety net may become a barrier to economic independence.

Research SIB
Social Innovation
Social Impact Bonds 2.0

The complexity of social problems, paired with constrained public resources, requires social innovators to identify new approaches for financing the delivery of social services.

Survey Brief: How Employers Support Precariously Housed Workers

Victoria Ciudad-Real, Kyle Hulburd, Meghan Nazareno

Year: 2022

The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted housing vulnerability and its interdependence with employment. Existing research has found that lack of affordable housing, basic amenities, and transportation impede workers from maintaining steady jobs. To address this issue, the USC Price Center … Continue reading →

Predatory Inclusion in the Market for Rental Housing: A Multicity Empirical Test

Max Besbris, John Kuk, Ann Owens, Ariela Schachter

Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World

Year: 2022

Using a unique data set of millions of advertisements for rental housing and data on the geographic distribution of housing voucher holders, we examine the limits of housing market policies that rely on private-market landlords to meet public needs. We … Continue reading →

Resilience and Rebuilding: Recommendations for an Equitable Recovery in South Los Angeles

Elly Schoen, Kyle Hulburd, Cameron Yap, Gary Painter

Price Center for Social Innovation and the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRDC)

Year: 2021

South Los Angeles has a rich history of culture, social cohesion, and resilience. However, the region has also faced economic disinvestment and decades of racist policies targeting Black Angelenos. As a result, South LA has seen fewer jobs and opportunities … Continue reading →

Incentivizing Affordable Housing in High Opportunity Areas

Ann Owens and Rebecca Brooks Smith

USC Price Center for Social Innovation

Year: 2021

Affordable housing is a critical component of providing low-income children with pathways to opportunity. The federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC) helps fund the development of affordable housing by providing private developers with tax credits in exchange for … Continue reading →

Designing Data Platforms for Action & Influence: Lessons Learned From a Case Study of Five Data Platforms

USC Price Center for Social Innovation & USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Year: 2021

Local data provides policymakers, community organizers, and scholars with the tools needed to identify inequities and target resources for action. Disaggregated data allows these stakeholders to make decisions at a highly targeted level, with the ability to create precise solutions … Continue reading →

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