Downstream Effects of Housing Improvements: Evidence from a Nationwide Randomized Experiment

Last registered on March 16, 2026
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Downstream Effects of Housing Improvements: Evidence from a Nationwide Randomized Experiment
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0018086
Initial registration date
March 12, 2026

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
March 16, 2026, 6:55 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Natalia Valdes Aspillaga
Affiliation
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Mohit Karnani
PI Affiliation
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PI Name
Ryan Cooper
PI Affiliation
University of Chicago
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PI Name
Dante Contreras
PI Affiliation
Universidad de Chile
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Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2020-03-01
End date
2027-07-30
Keywords
Education, Gender, Health, Labor, Welfare
Additional Keywords
Housing
JEL code(s)
C93, I32, I38, R21, I12, J22
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This paper studies the causal effects of in-situ housing improvements on household wellbeing among poor households in Chile. We exploit a nationwide randomized controlled trial in which eligible households were randomly assigned to receive small-scale housing upgrades combined with advisory sessions on home organisation, hygiene, and maintenance practices. Inadequate housing constitutes a core dimension of multidimensional poverty and may affect health, human capital accumulation, and labour market participation through multiple channels, including exposure to environmental health risks and constraints on productive daily routines. Using randomized assignment at the household level and linked administrative data, we estimate ITT and TOT effects on a pre-specified set of primary outcomes spanning from household income, receipt of cash transfers, contributions to the health system, school attendance of children and adolescents, and fertility. This pre-registered study provides rigorous causal evidence on the effects of housing improvements on wellbeing and socioeconomic conditions among highly vulnerable households.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Contreras, Dante et al. 2026. "Downstream Effects of Housing Improvements: Evidence from a Nationwide Randomized Experiment." AEA RCT Registry. March 16. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.18086-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
The intervention provides in-situ housing improvements to households living in extreme poverty, based on a technical and social diagnosis conducted at the household level. Solutions may include beds, electrical installations, improvements to water or sanitation access, and repairs or upgrades to the dwelling aimed at improving safety, hygiene, and functionality. Households also receive advisory sessions on home organisation, hygiene, and maintenance practices. The material improvements and advisory sessions are implemented together to improve housing conditions and everyday household practices.
Intervention Start Date
2020-09-01
Intervention End Date
2021-12-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Effects on household wellbeing, including household income, cash transfers received, contributions to the health system, school attendance of children and adolescents, and fertility
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Labor market attachment; socioeconomic vulnerability; participation in social protection programs; school enrollment and academic performance of children and adolescents; and marriage or civil union formation.
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Eligible households were randomly assigned at the household level within municipalities to either a treatment group offered the housing intervention or to a control group that did not receive the programme during the study period.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Randomization was conducted by the Ministry of Social Development and Family in Chile using a computer-based procedure implemented in Stata.
Randomization Unit
households
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
6,987 households
Sample size: planned number of observations
6,987 households
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
3,958 assigned to control
3,029 assigned to treatment
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
IRB Approval Date
IRB Approval Number
Analysis Plan

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