Survey Reseach

• Aetna Life & Casualty, CIGNA Insurance Companies HR&A invented and is the sole purveyor of the trademarked DATACLAIM system which uses survey research techniques to analyze the claim evaluation and negotiation practices of insurance claim handlers.  The survey system produces data bases of entirely unprecedented size and managerial relevance, and the HR&A developed software permits tailored manipulations of a wide variety of kinds. Client companies have used DATACLAIM to analyze the behavior of their managerial strata, their claims and managerial personnel, and in some cases their entire claims operation across the 50 states. The effect has been to give HR&A experience in a very wide assortment of survey development and administration contexts.

• In the service of the lead defendant In Re Agent Orange, heard in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York, HR&A drafted the proposed questionnaire for prospective jurors that was extensively incorporated into the final questionnaire that the Court actually administered to several hundred candidates. The firm also prepared a detailed plan for environmental health examination and treatment of Vietnam veterans which was submitted to the Court and which apparently played a role in the eventual tentative settlement of the case, the largest class action ever filed in the United States.

• The California Superior Court, the firm built and applied the nation's first and largest computer based simulation model of school desegregation alternatives. Hamilton and Rabinovitz were subsequently named the Court's Special Monitors for the case to oversee the implementation of the Court's orders to promote school desegregation in the Los Angeles Unified School District. This involved not only supervision of a busing program for school desegregation but the creation of programs for Magnet schools, special programs for Racially Isolated Minority Schools, and integration of the State Court programs with Federal orders for providing bilingual and bicultural education, for desegregating teachers, and for providing special impact aid to schools in very low income areas of the LAUSD.

• City of West Hollywood, HR&A conducted a study of the relationship between new commercial development and the demand for housing, open space and child care facilities generated by employees likely to occupy new development projects. The study was based on a survey of a random sample of existing businesses, stratified by type of commercial building. The firm is now in the process of designing a set of performance standards, or equivalent fees, for each amenity. An ordinance requiring developers of specified commercial projects to adhere to the new requirements is also being prepared.

• City of Los Angeles HR&A served as the lead consultant for a series of studies that form one of the nation's most comprehensive studies of urban rental housing stock. This effort included large scale surveys of landlords, tenants, mobile home park owners and mobile home residents. The data were used in extensive analyses of the metropolitan housing market that formed the basis for recommendations to amend various aspects of the city’s system of rent stabilization.

• City of Santa Monica HR&A conducted a study of the relationship of office development to demand for affordable housing in the City. The study was based on a survey of a sample of office buildings, stratified by size, in the City. The study formed the analytic basis for the design of a fee structure, also designed by HR&A at the request of the City, called the Accessory Housing and Parks Production Program, whose goal is to produce affordable housing and additional public park space over the next 10 years through the application of a two tier levy on office development.  The firm also designed the administrative procedures for securing developer commitment, the alternative types of housing contributions, and a method for reselling of owner shares developed for non?]rental units under the program.  The final package was fully negotiated with the community and with leaders of the land development industry.

• City of Santa Monica, HR&A conducted a telephone survey of renters residing in a random sample of rent-controlled and uncontrolled apartments in order to document renter demographics, housing quality, rental patterns and other data not available from the decennial US census.  The data were used in updating the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan, and remain a key data source in evolving city housing policy.

• Walt Disney Company HR&A conducted a survey of a stratified random sample of about 1,000 employees working in various areas of Disneyland (Anaheim, CA).  The survey results were used in HR&A's detailed analyses of population, housing, public school enrollment and employment impacts of a proposed $3 billion Specific Plan for an additional theme park development called Disney’s California Adventure.  HR&A’s analyses are contained in technical appendices to the voluminous Environmental Impact Report on the project.

• Universal Studios, Inc., HR&A conducted a survey of a stratified random sample of about 1,000 employees working throughout the 400-acre site, which is home to Universal’s film studio, studio tour, the Universal Amphitheater, Citywalk retail complex, office buildings and hotels.  The survey results were a key element of HR&A’s analysis of population, housing, public school enrollment, employment, economic, fiscal and property value impacts of a proposed $3 billion Specific Plan that would have substantially increase the intensity of development at Universal City.  HR&A’s analyses are contained in technical appendices to the voluminous Environmental Impact Report on the project.

• Los Angeles Unified School District, HR&A conducted a telephone survey of random samples of renter and owner households, and commercial businesses, which were relocated during Phase I of a massive public school construction program.  The survey results were used to assess the quality of the relocation services provided by LAUSD staff and a team of private relocation service firms, understanding of relocation program features and options and satisfaction with relocation outcomes.

• TransAction Companies Limited HR&A designed and conducted a telephone survey of a random sample of households at an 800-unit apartment complex in Los Angeles in order to assemble household demographic data and  residents' attitudes about the complex.  These data were used to assist the developer in formulating a redevelopment plan for the property and in securing required entitlements.

• County of Los Angeles Community Development Commission (CDC), HR&A managed a survey of cities that had not yet participated in its Industry Fund affordable housing development loan program. The survey was designed to identify the reasons for poor participation and to provide suggestions on how to expand program participation.  The results of this review, which were specifically requested by the Board of Supervisors, were used in CDC’s design of subsequent competitive loan application rounds.

The Company that resulted from the merger of the Insurance Company of North America and Connecticut General Insurance Company. The new Company is the second largest publicly held property/casualty insurer, second only to Aetna.