public housing
Last updatedWhat to know
Public housing is owned or subsidized by government agencies and funding. Terms like “housing projects” or “projects” historically have been used in racist ways and often associated with being more rundown or dilapidated and as connoting a dangerous and impoverished area. In the United States, public housing became more widespread during and after the Great Depression, particularly in cities. Government housing assistance is available for low-income people and families, older adults, and those with disabilities, though in news coverage it may be helpful to note that Black and Hispanic people often experience discrimination when applying for this assistance.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8) refers to a specific voucher program for “very low-income families” and is not always accurate in a generic sense to refer to all public housing.
Additional resources
- Introduction to Public Housing (Congressional Research Service)
- Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Summary
Public housing is owned or subsidized by government agencies and funding. Terms like “housing projects” or “projects” historically have been used in racist ways. If using these terms, mentioning their history adds important context.