Credit Access and Mobility during the Flint Water Crisis

How do credit-constrained communities cope with the financial consequences of environmental crises? Beginning in April 2014, residents Flint, Michigan, were exposed to lead-contaminated water resulting from a series governmental missteps. In this paper, we use spatial distribution lead and galvanized pipes Flint study effect crisis on households’ health, including loan balances, repayment outstanding debt, Equifax Risk Scores, as well household mobility. We find that relatively more affected households, measured by exposure pipes, experienced modest increase balance frequency past due loans. Scores declined slightly average, but so at bottom Score distribution. addition, there was no mobility out state or county, households likely move within city when began, away lead-pipe-dense areas.