Do Governance Structures Matter to Service Provision?

Abstract

This study looks at how different city government structures affect housing assistance and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. It examines the impact of various governance structures like the Mayor-Council and Council-Manager. The research uses data from surveys of 1,201 local governments in the United States. The results show that cities with a Council-Manager system are more likely to offer ESL and housing assistance. They often work with nonprofit organizations to provide these services. In contrast, municipal governments with a County Commission structure are less involved in ESL and housing assistance. These findings suggest that the way a city is governed has a big impact on public services. This affects how cities are run and their policies. However, the study's method and the fact that only a small percentage responded to the survey are limitations.