On September 1, 1937 the the nation’s first public housing legislation, the United States Housing Act of 1937 (The Wagner-Steagall Act), was signed into law. The Act required that the construction of new units be matched with the demolition of existing slum housing units. The Act also required that the housing serve residents with lower incomes so as to not compete with private housing. (A good summary of the 1937 act, and other public housing history can be found on the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service website HERE.) Public Housing historical VIDEO--The most compelling video of the development of public housing I have viewed to date is the 1949 video For the Living from the Prelinger Collection Archives HERE. (In far left panel of video site, a variety of options for steaming or downloading the video are available. Downloaded videos are LARGE, so a broadband connection will be required for downloading).
This video highlights the rationale and development of thousands upon thousands of public housing units in New York City to meet post WWII needs for returning veterans and their families.
These public housing developments, in most cases, remain standing today and provide an irreplaceable supply of low income housing in a city with high housing costs and with the most public housing of any city in the country.
I moved into public housing in Detroit less than 15 years after public housing began in the United States. With all of its problems, well maintained public housing has continued to provide a safe affordable place for millions of Americans. As I have expressed in the past to HUD and housing authority staff I am grateful for their past and continuing efforts to insure that these developments are well maintained and safe now and in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment