New Deal Ruins

New Deal Ruins: A Critical Analysis of Public Housing Policy in America By Edward G. Goetz, published by Cornell University Press in 2013. The New Deal's public housing initiative was a cornerstone of urban policy, providing economic stimulus and material support to families affected by the Great Depression. However, since the 1990s, this approach has been largely dismantled in favour of mixed-income communities and tenant-based vouchers. This shift, driven by gentrification pressures and racial dynamics, has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and the loss of over 250,000 permanently affordable residential units. Goetz examines the impact of these policy changes in three cities: Atlanta, Chicago, and New Orleans. He challenges common myths about public housing's supposed failure, instead offering a compelling case for renewed investment in this type of housing. Goetz argues that a combination of public housing and housing choice initiatives could provide a model for innovative and equitable housing policy. By shedding light on the complex relationships between urban policy, gentrification, and racial dynamics, New Deal Ruins provides a critical analysis of America's approach to affordable housing.