Public Housing Redevelopment and the Governance of the Poorest Americans

Public housing in the United States is a government-funded program that provides affordable housing to low-income families and individuals. The program was created in 1937 as part of the New Deal, and it has been a vital part of the nation's safety net for the poor ever since.

Public housing is typically owned and operated by local housing authorities (LHAs),which are quasi-governmental agencies that are created by state or local governments. LHAs are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of public housing, including setting rent rates, screening tenants, and maintaining the properties.

After the Projects: Public Housing Redevelopment and the Governance of the Poorest Americans

by Lawrence J. Vale

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25947 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	499 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Public housing has been a controversial program since its inception. Critics argue that it is too expensive, that it creates concentrations of poverty, and that it fosters dependency on government assistance. Supporters of public housing argue that it is a necessary program that provides affordable housing to those who need it most, and that it helps to stabilize communities and reduce homelessness.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to redevelop public housing. This movement is driven by a number of factors, including the desire to improve the quality of public housing, to reduce concentrations of poverty, and to make public housing more mixed-income. Redevelopment efforts have taken a variety of forms, including demolishing old public housing projects and building new mixed-income developments, and renovating existing public housing units.

The redevelopment of public housing has been a controversial issue. Critics argue that redevelopment displaces low-income residents, that it gentrifies neighborhoods, and that it does not always improve the quality of housing for the poor. Supporters of redevelopment argue that it is necessary to improve the quality of public housing, to reduce concentrations of poverty, and to make public housing more mixed-income.

The governance of public housing is a complex issue. LHAs are independent agencies that are not subject to direct control by the federal government. However, LHAs are heavily dependent on federal funding, and they must comply with federal regulations. This can create a tension between the desire of LHAs to maintain local control and the need to comply with federal requirements.

In addition, LHAs are often governed by boards that are dominated by local politicians. This can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency, and it can make it difficult for LHAs to make decisions that are in the best interests of their tenants.

The governance of public housing is a critical issue that has a significant impact on the lives of the poorest Americans. It is important to ensure that LHAs are accountable to their tenants and that they are making decisions that are in the best interests of the communities they serve.

After the Projects: Public Housing Redevelopment and the Governance of the Poorest Americans

by Lawrence J. Vale

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25947 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	499 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE