Public housing projects have played a significant role in Black history, particularly in urban centers across the United States. These projects were initially created as part of the New Deal legislation in the 1930s to provide affordable housing for low-income families, many of whom were Black migrants moving to northern cities during the Great Migration.

However, public housing projects became increasingly segregated, with Black Americans often being restricted to living in these developments due to discriminatory practices such as redlining and restrictive covenants. This led to the concentration of poverty and racial segregation within these communities.

One of the most well-known public housing projects is the Cabrini-Green Homes in Chicago, which became a symbol of urban poverty and neglect. The Pruitt-Igoe complex in St. Louis is another infamous example, which was eventually demolished due to its poor living conditions and high crime rates.

Despite the challenges and negative perceptions associated with public housing projects, they also served as important hubs of community and resistance. They were spaces where residents developed solidarity, cultural traditions, and political organizing efforts to advocate for better living conditions and social justice.

In recent years, there have been efforts to rethink public housing and implement more holistic approaches to affordable housing that take into account the needs and experiences of residents, particularly in marginalized communities.