Hector Blanco

Hector Blanco is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at Rutgers University, where he teaches courses in public finance, urban economics, and econometrics. He is also a Research Affiliate at CESifo and the NYU Furman Center, contributing to policy-relevant research on housing and urban development.

His research focuses on public and urban economics, particularly the impact of housing policies on neighborhoods and residents. Key areas include affordable housing, zoning regulations, exclusionary zoning, public housing regeneration, and discrimination against housing vouchers. His work combines empirical analysis with policy evaluation to understand how interventions shape residential patterns, economic outcomes, and equity.

Hector's recent publications examine the effects of bypassing zoning laws (e.g., Massachusetts Chapter 40B), the pecuniary impacts of public housing demolitions, and landlord discrimination in online rental markets. His research often leverages quasi-experimental designs and large-scale datasets to identify causal effects, with a strong emphasis on reducing residential segregation and expanding neighborhood choice for low-income households.

Scientific Awards:

• Russell Sage Foundation Grant

Hector advises on housing policy and contributes to public discourse through policy reports, including the IEB Report 4/2024 on rental affordability. His affiliations with NYU Furman Center and CESifo reflect his engagement with interdisciplinary urban research networks. He continues to develop research on the long-term effects of housing interventions and neighborhood change.

Labs and Research Teams:
He collaborates with researchers at NYU Furman Center and works with co-authors such as Noémie Sportiche, Lorenzo Neri, and David M. Cutler. His work is supported by grants and published in leading economics journals, indicating active participation in a robust research network focused on urban and housing economics.