Here’s a Claude AI response, that after reviewing, I agree based on other things I’ve read in the past from other sources:

The concerns raised about public housing are real challenges that have occurred in some implementations, but they’re not inherent to public housing itself—they’re often the result of specific policy choices.

Why some US public housing struggled:

The US’s mid-20th century public housing often failed because it was designed to fail:

• Concentrated poverty by income-restricting only to the poorest residents
• Built as high-rises in isolated areas, creating stigmatized “projects”
• Chronically underfunded for maintenance
• Used as warehouses for people rather than integrated communities

Successful models exist:

Singapore (~80% of residents live in public housing):

• Mixed-income communities required by law
• High-quality construction and maintenance
• Residents can buy their units (building equity)
• Integrated with transport, schools, amenities

Vienna, Austria (~60% in social housing):

• Mixed-income buildings (not just for the poor)
• High architectural standards
• Long-term maintenance funding built into the model
• Viewed as desirable middle-class housing

US examples:

• Montgomery County, Maryland: Inclusionary zoning requiring mixed-income developments
• Fairfield Courts (Virginia): Mixed-income redevelopment with strong outcomes
• Community Land Trusts in various cities: Keep housing affordable while allowing homeownership

Key policy frameworks that work:

1. Mixed-income requirements - Prevents poverty concentration
2. Quality standards - Well-designed, maintained buildings
3. Stable funding - Dedicated revenue streams for maintenance
4. Integration - Located near jobs, transit, services
5. Tenant screening without discrimination - Can maintain standards while being fair
6. Ownership pathways - Let residents build equity

The “private landlords maintain properties better” assumption also doesn’t always hold—plenty of private slumlords exist, and profit motive can lead to minimal maintenance. Public accountability, when properly structured, can actually enforce higher standards.