THE PUBLIC HOUSING DEBATE CONTENTS: Introduction Does Texas need public housing? Problems facing public housing The past: Beginnings of public housing Public Works Administration builds public housing Housing Act of 1937 Public housing in Texas Special interest, race and local control Solutions to fix public housing Postscript: Allen Parkway Village today For more information TxLIHIS' work in public housing copyright 1998 Texas Low Income Housing Information Service

Does Texas need public housing? Public housing provides a place to live for some of the very poorest people in Texas. No other government or private housing program houses people this poor. But from the very beginnings of public housing right down to the present day there has been controversy in Texas about whether there was a need for public housing. For years lobby groups representing real estate agents and home builders have fought against public housing. They argued that the private market was providing adequately for everyone who needed a place to live, including the poor. This public housing development in Texarkana, Texas is typical of those built during the last building boom of public housing in Texas during the 1950's - 60's. (photo: TxLIHIS) Dorothy Masterson Executive Director Dallas Housing Crisis Center CLICK PICTURE FOR MOVIE Learn how to see Quicktime movies Most people don't want to live in subsidized housing. They would rather be able to pick their housing and just be like everybody else and pay market rents. But they don't have the money, the job, whatever to do that, and of course, some people can't work. They're too ill, either physically or mentally to hold a job. Those people really need the subsidized housing and there's just not anywhere near enough of it to meet that need. Recently constructed public housing for elderly residents located in San Antonio, Texas. Most public housing built in texas since the 1970's has been for the elderly. (photo: TxLIHIS) The realities of affording housing: voices of public housing residents