Episode 121: Breaking Down Why Chicago Public Housing Failed with Professor Brad Hunt

Feb 10, 2022

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Dr. Brad Hunt of Loyola University's Department of History joins the show to educate us on the complicated history of Chicago's Public Housing developments and why real estate investors should care.

Brad is the author of Blueprint for Disaster, in which he traces Chicago's Public Housing history and transformation under various government administrations. Leveraging this knowledge of poorly operated public housing in Chicago, Brad is able to share what he would do differently and how investors can use this knowledge to be better housing providers.

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Brad Hunt, Loyola University Chicago Department of History

Link: Blueprint for Disaster: The Unraveling of Chicago Public Housing

Link: Loyola University Chicago's Department of History

Sponsors: Pentwater Cabinetry and Kiser Group

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Guest Questions

02:25 House Provider Tip: Thoroughly screen tenants and ask for additional documentation (tenant will always provide info that makes them look good)!

05:30 Intro to our guest, Brad Hunt!

06:38 How did Brad select his career path?

08:38 What is the high-level overview of Brad's book, Blueprint for Disaster, and why did he write it?

13:00 What are some examples of "cost-cutting" used in Chicago Public Housing that had significantly negative impacts?

16:10 How did Public Housing begin to get a negative stigma?

20:54 How did screen changes impact the feel of Public Housing?

22:50 What tenant mix would be ideal to optimize how Public Housing runs?

26:20 How did Chicago Public Housing maintenance costs compare to other cities?

34:13 What was going on in Public House leading up to the crack cocaine epidemic in the 1990s?

40:50 Why are certain Public Housing developments being preserved while others have been torn down?

42:52 What would Brad change about the way Public Housing is run today?

Wrap Up Questions

45:44 What is Brad's competitive advantage?

46:04 What is the one piece of advice for new investors looking to buy their first property in Chicago?

46:31 What do you do for fun?

47:12 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

48:34 Local Network Recommendation?

49:42 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

That's our show! Thanks for listening!

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Production House: Flint Stone Media