Allen B, Basaraba C, Behrends CN, Chambers LC, Marshall BDL, Cerdá M. Neighborhood impacts of overdose prevention centers on real estate prices in New York City. Am J Epidemiol. 2026 Mar 18:kwag061. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwag061. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41848178.
This study looked at the impact that the overdose prevention centers in East Harlem and Washington Heights had on property values (on neighborhood rents and real estate sales). It found no changes in rents and sales after the opening of the overdose prevention centers in East Harlem and Washington Heights. This suggests that overdose prevention centers do not have a significant impact on neighborhood property values.
Context: Overdose prevention centers (OPCs) are associated with improved community health and decreased crime, but opponents argue that OPCs decrease nearby property values. This study looked at the impact that the overdose prevention center in East Harlem and Washington Heights had on property values (on neighborhood rents and real estate sales).
Methods: They used 300m and 500m buffer zones around the OPCs and looked at quarterly and semiannual rental listings as well as annual and semiannual property sales. For controls, they used buffers around syringe service programs that did not have an OPC and on MOUD treatment clinics. Data on rentals were collected via a public website of rentals known as RentHub, looking at a period between 2019 and 2023. Property sales data was obtained from the NYC Department of Finance, looking at a period between 2014 and 2024. The primary outcome was the median price for quarterly rentals and annual sales.
Results: This study found no changes in rents and sales after the opening of the overdose prevention centers in East Harlem and Washington Heights. This suggests that overdose prevention centers do not have a significant impact on neighborhood property values.