Revitalized public housing projects are quietly changing the fate of low-income kids. In 1992, Congress launched a $17 billion program to demolish distressed public housing buildings in cities across the US and replace them with new, mixed-income developments. The HOPE VI initiative aimed to create vibrant neighborhoods where residents from different backgrounds could coexist.
Studies have shown that these revitalized projects significantly boost future earnings of low-income children who grew up in them. For every additional year they spent in the rebuilt housing, kids' future earnings increased by 2.8 percent, corresponding to a 50 percent increase for those who lived there their entire childhoods.
However, unlike their peers living in non-revitalized public housing, these children were more likely to attend college and less likely to become incarcerated. Researchers attribute this success to the social connections that low-income kids formed with higher-income peers while growing up in the new developments. The cross-class integration allowed them to form friendships that would have a lasting impact on their lives.
This is no surprise, given that children are highly attuned to the expectations and examples of those around them. By creating mixed-income residential areas, HOPE VI projects put kids' day-to-day social worlds into contact with diverse networks.
The findings validate long-held critiques of mid-century planning mistakes and offer a blueprint for building cities that foster social connection and shared prosperity. Unlike isolated superblocks, revitalized public housing projects integrate residents into the city fabric, allowing them to weave in and out of different social circles.
While HOPE VI has been marred by structural racism and underinvestment, its legacy is also marked by increased economic mobility for low-income families. The project's revival serves as a reminder that our built environment can have profound effects on the course of our lives.
Studies have shown that these revitalized projects significantly boost future earnings of low-income children who grew up in them. For every additional year they spent in the rebuilt housing, kids' future earnings increased by 2.8 percent, corresponding to a 50 percent increase for those who lived there their entire childhoods.
However, unlike their peers living in non-revitalized public housing, these children were more likely to attend college and less likely to become incarcerated. Researchers attribute this success to the social connections that low-income kids formed with higher-income peers while growing up in the new developments. The cross-class integration allowed them to form friendships that would have a lasting impact on their lives.
This is no surprise, given that children are highly attuned to the expectations and examples of those around them. By creating mixed-income residential areas, HOPE VI projects put kids' day-to-day social worlds into contact with diverse networks.
The findings validate long-held critiques of mid-century planning mistakes and offer a blueprint for building cities that foster social connection and shared prosperity. Unlike isolated superblocks, revitalized public housing projects integrate residents into the city fabric, allowing them to weave in and out of different social circles.
While HOPE VI has been marred by structural racism and underinvestment, its legacy is also marked by increased economic mobility for low-income families. The project's revival serves as a reminder that our built environment can have profound effects on the course of our lives.
It sounds like a nice idea, but what about all the money and resources that were wasted on those initial demolitions in 1992? $17 billion is a huge sum! And now we're saying it was worth it because kids are more likely to attend college and less likely to end up in prison? That's some pretty neat math. But isn't this just another example of how 'helping' the poor can sometimes be code for 'letting them hang out with the rich kids'? It seems like a mixed bag to me...
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. And it's not like they're suddenly becoming "better" people or anything – it's just that they have more opportunities to experience and learn from different perspectives.
. I mean, think about all the research out there on how architecture affects mood and behavior – it's not like this is some new discovery or anything 
. But still, it's nice to see people talking about it in a positive way for once.
. That's over 30 years ago! It's crazy how often we talk about these kinds of issues without ever really thinking about the long-term effects 
. But hey, at least it's getting some attention now – maybe that'll make a difference 
. I mean, we've all heard about how social connections can shape our lives, but this is on another level! The fact that these kids are more likely to interact with people from different backgrounds from a young age is like... genius 
. And the numbers! 2.8% increase in future earnings per year? That's not something to sneeze at 
. I'm definitely keeping an eye out for more info on HOPE VI and how we can replicate this model in other cities 
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Revitalized public housing projects r actually changin the fate of low-income kids!!! 
That's insane! And it's not just about da money, these kids r more likely 2 go 2 collidge & less likely 2 end up in jail...mind blown! 
It's like, our built environment has a major impact on our lives & it's so cool 2 see dat happen! 
Can we pls bring back more HOPE VI projects ASAP?! 
. It makes total sense that kids growing up in mixed-income neighborhoods would be more likely to attend college and avoid incarceration - just think about all the awesome role models they're surrounded by! 
The social connections they form with higher-income peers can totally shape their future earnings and life choices. We should definitely learn from this and try to create more inclusive communities that foster social connection and shared prosperity 
The fact that they're more likely to attend college and less likely to end up in the system is just mind-blowing. It's all about creatin' those social connections with higher-income peers, you know? 
Kids learn from what their surroundings are, so it makes sense that integrated communities would have a bigger impact on their futures.
I mean, we've learned a lot about how important community and diversity are for people to thrive. Revitalized public housing projects might not be perfect, but they're definitely a step in the right direction.