Christina Stacy

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CHRISTINA STACY

I am a Principal Research Associate in the Housing and Communities Division at the Urban Institute, where I advance equitable urban economics, housing, and transportation policies through applied econometrics, qualitative analysis, and community-engaged methods. I am also the founder of EquiCity Research, which provides consulting services for local governments, community groups, and advocacy organizations on topics ranging from rent stabilization and inclusionary zoning to innovative housing finance and land use reform. My work seeks to address complex social and spatial inequities and support evidence-based policymaking at the local, state, and national levels.My current research portfolio includes- Applied spatial and econometric analyses examining how rent control, inclusionary zoning, and other local housing policies shape supply, segregation, and access to opportunity- Causal analyses of affordable housing programs, including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)- Development of the Neighborhood Rental Database (NeRD); a national effort to scrape and analyze rental listings to better understand affordability and supply constraints- Mixed-method studies of housing finance innovations, such as the MassHousing Momentum Equity Fund-Transportation equity analyses, including evaluations of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) corridor projects and research on autonomous vehicle policy and equity.I am particularly interested in how housing and land use policies affect supply elasticity, affordability, and racial and spatial equity—and how innovative financing and planning tools can expand access to opportunity. My work often bridges rigorous causal inference with community-engaged research to ensure policy relevance and local impact.In addition to my research, I serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Housing Alexandria, an advisory board member for the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Quantitative Economics program, and a frequent panelist and speaker on housing affordability, industrial policy, and equitable development.Prior to joining the Urban Institute, I earned my BA from Boston College, MPA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and PhD in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics from Michigan State University.