Howard A. Husock

Howard Husock, author of "The Projects: A New History of Public Housing," delves into the ambitious yet flawed vision behind New Deal-era public housing initiatives. He discusses how these well-intentioned projects, designed to eliminate poverty, instead devolved into dangerous slums. Husock reveals the oversight by planners like Eleanor Roosevelt and Robert Moses, and their failure to foresee the rise of crime and community decay. The conversation also critiques modern housing policies and advocates for inclusive urban planning to rectify past mistakes.

Howard A. Husock, a journalist and researcher at the American Enterprise Institute, dives into the intricate history of public housing in America. He discusses how well-intentioned policies often backfired, leading to the decline of vibrant Black neighborhoods. The podcast uncovers tales of community resilience against the backdrop of past mistakes in housing policy. Husock also emphasizes the importance of social connections in urban living and proposes reforms for affordable housing that honor community-driven solutions.