Chicago Public Housing Then and now

Early Beginnings The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) was established in The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) was established in Four original housing projects in four parts of the city: Four original housing projects in four parts of the city: South Side: Trumbull Park Homes- 426 families South Side: Trumbull Park Homes- 426 families North Side: Julia C. Lathrop Houses- 925 families North Side: Julia C. Lathrop Houses- 925 families West Side: Jane Addams Homes- 1,027 families West Side: Jane Addams Homes- 1,027 families Ida B. Wells Homes-1,662 families Ida B. Wells Homes-1,662 families

Housing for during WWII During World War II, the CHA shifted its focus to returning WWII veterans. During World War II, the CHA shifted its focus to returning WWII veterans. Continued to build larger housing projects: Continued to build larger housing projects: Three more large projects built. Three more large projects built. The largest was, Altgeld Gardens built in It contained 1500 units. The largest was, Altgeld Gardens built in It contained 1500 units. Was built solely for returning black war workers. Was built solely for returning black war workers. CHA, abandons Neighborhood Compliance Rule and begins letting blacks and whites live with each other, caused major race wars. CHA, abandons Neighborhood Compliance Rule and begins letting blacks and whites live with each other, caused major race wars.

The 1950s In 1949, Congress passes the Housing Act, which provides funding to cities to build housing projects. In 1949, Congress passes the Housing Act, which provides funding to cities to build housing projects. CHA creates map that has future housing projects strategically placed throughout the city. CHA creates map that has future housing projects strategically placed throughout the city. White city council members immediately shoot down that decision, making sure no black housing was built in their wards. White city council members immediately shoot down that decision, making sure no black housing was built in their wards.

1950s Fearful of the city council, CHA decides to only build more “family” housing in black neighborhoods. Fearful of the city council, CHA decides to only build more “family” housing in black neighborhoods. Many people believe that this is the reason so many of the projects were built on the south and west sides of the city. Many people believe that this is the reason so many of the projects were built on the south and west sides of the city. As time progressed housing projects were increasingly becoming larger then the projects they replaced. As time progressed housing projects were increasingly becoming larger then the projects they replaced.

The Housing Standard of the 50s As all of these projects continued to get larger, they seemed to all follow same criteria: As all of these projects continued to get larger, they seemed to all follow same criteria: Built on Super blocks: or areas that were once streets but had been converted into a grassy type area. Built on Super blocks: or areas that were once streets but had been converted into a grassy type area. All grew in number of apartments, from the smallest,150 apartments, to the largest, 4,415 apartments. All grew in number of apartments, from the smallest,150 apartments, to the largest, 4,415 apartments. All were high rise style which included elevators, the range was usually stories high All were high rise style which included elevators, the range was usually stories high All built by similar post war architects. All built by similar post war architects.

1950s-1960s One of the largest was built in 1955, named Grace Abbott Homes it was 40 building that took up 10 city blocks. One of the largest was built in 1955, named Grace Abbott Homes it was 40 building that took up 10 city blocks. It is also around this time when there was a rise in public housing construction in the Near North side. It is also around this time when there was a rise in public housing construction in the Near North side. In 1958,the Francis Cabrini Homes were expanded from the original 582 units to 1,925 units. In 1958,the Francis Cabrini Homes were expanded from the original 582 units to 1,925 units. Together with creation of the William Green Homes in 1962, the infamous Cabrini-Green housing projects contained 3,607 units total. Together with creation of the William Green Homes in 1962, the infamous Cabrini-Green housing projects contained 3,607 units total.

The State Street Corridor Spanned four miles long, and included larger public housing high rises. Which included: Spanned four miles long, and included larger public housing high rises. Which included: Stateway Gardens (1958)- eight housing buildings long. Stateway Gardens (1958)- eight housing buildings long. Robert Taylor Homes (1962)- which become the largest housing project in the United States with 4,415 including story buildings Robert Taylor Homes (1962)- which become the largest housing project in the United States with 4,415 including story buildings Robert Taylor Homes

The Downfall of Public Housing After 1950s, the deterioration of public housing was becoming more and more evident. After 1950s, the deterioration of public housing was becoming more and more evident. The factors that led to this deterioration were: The factors that led to this deterioration were: Buildings were poorly maintained. Buildings were poorly maintained. Many tenants abused the complexes. Many tenants abused the complexes. Serious design flaws. Serious design flaws. Different type of tenants- Urban renewal, expressway tenants, and slum clearance. Different type of tenants- Urban renewal, expressway tenants, and slum clearance. High rise building was a serious design mistake. High rise building was a serious design mistake.

Downfall continues CHA continues to build more public housing in black communities. CHA continues to build more public housing in black communities. Until 1968, this marks the year when the federal government puts a stop to spending on public housing. Until 1968, this marks the year when the federal government puts a stop to spending on public housing. When the CHA finally stopped building in 1968 they had accumulated quite a bit of land, including 168 buildings, and 19,700 apartments for families (wikipedia.org) When the CHA finally stopped building in 1968 they had accumulated quite a bit of land, including 168 buildings, and 19,700 apartments for families (wikipedia.org) Its during this time that a group of tenants sue the CHA, for racial segregation, by putting housing projects in already blighted and project filled areas. Gautreaux v Chicago Housing Authority (1966). Its during this time that a group of tenants sue the CHA, for racial segregation, by putting housing projects in already blighted and project filled areas. Gautreaux v Chicago Housing Authority (1966).

Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority Landmark decision in which a federal judge demanded that the CHA build scattered family housing throughout the city. Landmark decision in which a federal judge demanded that the CHA build scattered family housing throughout the city. Following this the CHA, built only a hand full of scattered building sites, and began building elderly care homes in white areas. Following this the CHA, built only a hand full of scattered building sites, and began building elderly care homes in white areas. From the years the CHA only built 46 more developments totaling 9,607 units. From the years the CHA only built 46 more developments totaling 9,607 units.

Fast Forward to the 90s Throughout the 80s and into the 90s, the Chicago housing projects were a constant breeding ground for crime. Throughout the 80s and into the 90s, the Chicago housing projects were a constant breeding ground for crime. Buildings continued to get worse, both structurally and socially. To the point where something had to be done…. Buildings continued to get worse, both structurally and socially. To the point where something had to be done…. In 1996, the federal government again stood up and took notice of the CHA’s poor performance, and called for the CHA to hand over the reigns to the federal department of Housing and Urban Development or (HUD). In 1996, the federal government again stood up and took notice of the CHA’s poor performance, and called for the CHA to hand over the reigns to the federal department of Housing and Urban Development or (HUD).

HUD in control As HUD began to really examine the problems of Chicago public housing it realized: As HUD began to really examine the problems of Chicago public housing it realized: 1. The design for the building was flawed from the beginning that too many high rises were built. 2. The CHA, and its building had been subject to poor and disorganized management. 3. The end result and recommendation from HUD was the complete demolition of several high rises and also that the CHA develop a new plan.. Chicago had to reform its housing authority which was considered the worst in the nation Chicago had to reform its housing authority which was considered the worst in the nation

The 90s and Beyond HUD’s control lasted from , they made quite a number of changes, here some big ones: HUD’s control lasted from , they made quite a number of changes, here some big ones: 1. A new five member executive committee 2. Bringing in review teams from across the country, to help analyze and make recommendations. 3. Section 8 housing vouchers privately managed 4. Redevelopment of the worst housing projects, including Cabrini-Green and Homer and Lakefront 5. Intense focus on public safety

After the HUD overhaul, in 1999, CHA began its “new life” as an agency. After the HUD overhaul, in 1999, CHA began its “new life” as an agency. The CHA also developed a new logo/keyword, CHANGE, with the letters C-H-A in the word strategically highlighted. The CHA also developed a new logo/keyword, CHANGE, with the letters C-H-A in the word strategically highlighted. In 2000,with input and advice from the CHA’s Central Advisory Council, the CHA developed a new plan. In 2000,with input and advice from the CHA’s Central Advisory Council, the CHA developed a new plan. The plan entitled Plan for Transformation was approved and green lighted by HUD in February The plan entitled Plan for Transformation was approved and green lighted by HUD in February 2000.

The Plan for Transformation The plan consists of three main objectives: The plan consists of three main objectives: To renew the physical structure of CHA buildings To renew the physical structure of CHA buildings Includes renewing or building of 25,000 units by 2009 Includes renewing or building of 25,000 units by 2009 To promote self-sufficiency among its residents To promote self-sufficiency among its residents New occupancy rules possible requirements include: being employed, a credit check, and a drug test. New occupancy rules possible requirements include: being employed, a credit check, and a drug test. Along with working other city agencies to help provide the tenants with resources and assistance. Along with working other city agencies to help provide the tenants with resources and assistance. To reform overall administration of CHA To reform overall administration of CHA Consolidating agencies and bureaus with the city to eliminate so much bureaucracy Consolidating agencies and bureaus with the city to eliminate so much bureaucracy New management, to shed the legacy of mismanagement, and focus on financial and other types of reform. New management, to shed the legacy of mismanagement, and focus on financial and other types of reform. Solid oversight on the collection of rent, and taking care of work orders. Solid oversight on the collection of rent, and taking care of work orders.

Some Visuals… Some Visuals… A couple minutes of the new plan... A couple minutes of the new plan... A couple minutes of the new plan... A couple minutes of the new plan...

The End Sources: Sources: search: CHA, accessed Nov 15, J.S. Fuerst, 2005, When Public Housing Was Paradise: BUILDING COMMUNITY IN CHICAGO