America: A History Podcast
What Are the Projects?
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Episode notes
In Britain, council estates are a standard part of the housing ecosystem. That is, government-built housing for those who lack the means to house themselves.
But the US also has a long-standing public housing system, used by millions, but the challenges are unique and, reportedly, their future is uncertain. So in this episode, I want to understand this a lot more, as I ask… what are the Projects?
Special guest for this episode:
- Becky Avila-Knox, the Senior Director of Grants & Contracts for Safe Place for Youth. Becky was born and raised in LA’s public housing system, but since moved to the UK and earned her PhD from the University of East Anglia, researching how race relations in America informs educational approaches, cultural production, and identity formation in young children.
Highlights from this episode:
(02:25) The projects look different depending where you are
(06:48) A concentration of people with great need
(09:20) How are the projects funded?
(14:46) What does low income mean in Los Angeles?
(18:55) How is eligibility controlled?
(24:00) Did we just hear somebody die?
(27:27) Generational shifts
(33:25) Should the US government do more?
(38:20) Poverty isn't a single lens issue
Additional Resources:
‘Just say no’ didn’t actually protect students via NPR
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