Social inclusion through mixed-income development: Design and practice in the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

Social Inclusion is an emerging term, used to encompass ideas of equity, social, economic and civic participation, and the proactive protection of human rights. In the United States, one potential vehicle for social inclusion is the development of mixed-income communities. Using a process perspective, this study explores the design and practice of social inclusion in the context of mixed-income development, by conducting a qualitative analysis of the federal Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. Utilizing a combined content analysis and grounded theory analysis of archival grant reports and conducted interviews, this study aims to answer the question: How do mixed-income development practitioners design and practice social inclusion? Through this analysis, the study generates a process theory of social inclusion through mixed-income development, identifying 57 practices, processes, programs, and structures that mixed-income development practitioners utilize in designing and practicing social inclusion.