Housing authorities reconsidered

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Abstract
The local public housing authority is a product of the “good government” ethic of the 1920's and 1930'5, which postulates that certain public welfare programs should be run by disinterested laymen—representing “the best of the community”—who will keep these programs “out of politics.” A nationwide survey of authority commissioners indicates widespread lack of knowledge about and sympathy with the housing programs they administer and the low-income families they serve. Inherent disparities between the commissioner group—who are white and of high socioeconomic status—and public housing clientele—largely low-income black families—are one possible source of this conflict. It is suggested that the housing authority system currently acts as a barrier to expanded and improved housing programs for the poor, and instead agencies, which will aggressively advocate the interests of those in need of decent low-cost housing are needed. Possible alternatives to the quasi-independent housing authority include establishment of a department directly responsible to the elected chief executive, greater federal and/or state involvement, and decentralization of housing program administration to give greater control to community organizations.

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