A lot of major public housing projects in big cities were conveniently standing in the way of gentrification. Chicago's Cribrini Green, Houston's Allen Parkway Village and New Orleans' St. Thomas are examples. When those obstacles are removed, that gentrification can really tear through. So not only are deeply affordable public housing units eliminated but the rents in the surrounding neighborhoods can go through the roof further reducing affordability.
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.
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Check out Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire haymarketbooks.org/books/1861-light-in-gaza