Does local access to employment services reduce unemployment? A GIS analysis of One-Stop Career Centers

The paper uses Geographic Information System to investigate (1) the location of One-Stop Career Centers in Southern California, (2) their level of accessibility to unemployed workers of various demographic groups, (3) their proximity to employment opportunities, and (4) the effect of these spatial relations on Census tract unemployment. We build on the non-profit literature on accessibility to social service providers and on spatial mismatch research that emphasizes the gap between places of work and residence. We argue that One-Stops can play an important role in bridging this gap. We find that One-Stops are well positioned to serve the unemployed, although accessibility varies by race/ethnicity, age, and location. Access to One-Stops reduces local unemployment, particularly in neighborhoods with limited employment opportunities. This effect is larger for groups who experience limited mobility due to gender or race, such as black and female job seekers.