Policies and Practices to Strengthen Youth Mental Health, Academic Success, and Economic Mobility in Mixed-Income Neighborhoods and Schools

Economic integration can combat high and rising inequality, but young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds do not automatically benefit from mixed-income neighborhoods and schools. According to this research synthesis, although mixed-income settings can increase upward mobility, exposure to higher-income peers may have negative effects on mental and behavioral health, especially during adolescence. Policies should aim to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs of economic integration by prioritizing integration at a local level (e.g., block groups, classrooms), aligning housing and education policies, investing in third places (such as libraries, parks, digital platforms), and supporting youth belonging through identity-affirming environments and opportunities for collective action.