UMass Boston

Urban Economics, Housing Economics, Economics of Education, Affordable Housing Policy, Residential and School Choice

PhD, New York University

• “Can improvements in schools spur neighborhood revitalization? Evidence from building investments.” Regional Science and Urban Economics. 2015, 52: 108-118.
• “Do Choice Schools Break the Link Between Public Schools and Property Values? Evidence from Housing Prices in New York City.” Co-authored with Amy Schwartz and Ioan Voicu. Regional Science and Urban Economics. 2014, 49: 1-10.
• “Do Housing Choice Voucher Holders Live Near Good Schools?” Co-authored with Ingrid Ellen and Amy Schwartz. Journal of Housing Economics, 2014, 23(1): 28-40.
• “What can we learn about the low income housing tax credit program by looking at the tenants” Co-authored with Katherine O’Regan. Housing Policy Debate, 2013, 23(3): 597-613.
• “Why do higher-income households choose low-income neighbourhoods? Pioneering or Thrift?” Co-authored with Ingrid Ellen and Katherine O’Regan. Urban Studies, 2013, 50(12): 2478-2495.
• “Pathways to Integration: Examining Changes in the Prevalence of Racially Integrated Neighborhoods” Co-authored with Ingrid Ellen and Katherine O’Regan. Cityscape, 2012, 14(3): 33-54.
• “The Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Racial Segregation.” Co-authored with Katherine O’Regan. Housing Policy Debate, 2011, 21(3): 443-473.

Keren Horn’s research seeks to inform policies that will help cities become places of opportunity for people at both ends of the socio-economic spectrum.  Her primary interest is developing a deeper understanding of the forces within our nation that support both racial and economic integration, with a particular focus on increasing access to opportunity for low income children.  She seeks to learn what motivates households with resources to live in lower income neighborhoods.  She studies whether housing policies, particularly through the provision of support for low-income households, can break patterns of economic and racial segregation and lead to increased opportunities for low income children.  She also examines whether schools play a role in these patterns; Do schools and school reforms shape housing markets and household residential choices?  Professor Horn received her PhD in Policy from New York University, with a focus on Urban Economics.  Her work has been published in Regional Science and Urban Economics, Journal of Housing Economics, Urban Studies and Housing Policy Debate.  Professor Horn teaches courses in microeconomics, urban economics and the economics of poverty and inequality.


View Professor Horn's curriculum vitae.