In the 1980s, many PHAs would allow vacancy rates to rise while disinvesting and repair. The PHA then asked HUD for permission to get rid of it - a mostly quote, unknown and unannounced policy shift. This was an important moment in the history of public housing. It generated a kind of downward cycle of maintenance and repair.
Featuring Edward Goetz on his book New Deal Ruins: Race, Economic Justice, and Public Housing Policy. Goetz tells the story of American public housing and then its destruction and dismantling, which took off in the 1980s and accelerated during the 90s under the Clinton Administration’s Hope VI program.
Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig and get our weekly newsletter by email plus swag.
Check out Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire haymarketbooks.org/books/1861-light-in-gaza