Date of Award

Summer 8-15-2025

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Economics

First Committee Advisor

Kelsi Hobbs

Second Committee Member

Sharon Klein

Third Committee Member

Jonathan Malacarne

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between energy burden and eviction filing rates at the census tract level in the United States. Using cross-sectional data from 2018, the study estimates a series of linear regression models with state fixed effects to test whether higher energy burden is associated with increased eviction filings rate. The analysis examines heterogeneity by tenure type, energy source, income quartiles, and the role of energy assistance programs such as LIHEAP. Robustness checks include alternative transformations of the dependent variable, inclusion of additional covariates, and a Negative Binomial model. The f indings show that energy burden is negatively associated with eviction filings rate, especially among low-income households. Furthermore, energy assistance counteract the relationship between energy burden and eviction filings rate.

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