Public housing projects have played a significant role in Black history, particularly in the mid-20th century. The development of public housing was meant to address the severe housing shortage faced by Black Americans during the early 1900s, due to racial segregation and discrimination in the housing market.

The first public housing projects in the United States were established during the New Deal era in the 1930s, as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's efforts to combat the Great Depression. The projects were intended to provide affordable housing for low-income families, including many Black Americans who were excluded from white neighborhoods.

However, public housing projects soon became segregated due to racist policies and practices, with Black residents often confined to certain developments while white residents lived in separate projects. This segregation further perpetuated racial inequality and limited economic opportunities for Black families.

Despite these challenges, public housing projects became important centers of community and culture for many Black residents. They provided a sense of stability and a place for families to live and thrive, especially during times of social and economic upheaval.

One of the most well-known public housing projects in Black history is the Robert Taylor Homes in Chicago, which at one point was the largest public housing development in the country. The Robert Taylor Homes became a symbol of the struggles faced by residents living in segregated, high-rise housing projects, including issues of poverty, crime, and lack of resources.

In recent years, many public housing projects have been demolished or redeveloped as part of efforts to deconcentrate poverty and create more mixed-income communities. However, the legacy of public housing projects in Black history continues to be an important part of the ongoing conversation about racial inequality and housing access in the United States.