Debunking 5 Common Myths About Public Housing

Few government programs are as misunderstood, with such high consequences, as public housing subsidies.

1 minute read

February 8, 2017, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Hope VI Housing

The New Holly Transit Oriented Hope VI development in Seattle probably doesn't conform to the common misunderstandings about public housing projects. | Brett VA / Wikimedia Commons

"A lot of Americans believe things about federally subsidized housing that simply aren’t true," according to the premise of a myth-busting article by Pete Rodrigue.

The article tackles five of the biggest myths about public housing and the people who live in it.

  1. Most public housing means big projects.
  2. Most housing assistance recipients don't have jobs, and they're all black.
  3. Subsidized housing generally lowers surrounding property values and increases crime.
  4. Housing subsidies worsen recipients' live.
  5. The middle class doesn't get these kinds of housing subsidies.

For each of these myths, Rodrigue presents multiple arguments for debunking the assumptions and falsehoods inherent in each. 

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in Greater Greater Washington

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

A professional in hazmat gear cleans mold off a white wall and ceiling.

Austin landlords only need to address mold when it covers 25 sqft. A resolution looks to change that

The city manager will propose updates to the city code regarding regulations around mold in May.

11 seconds ago - KUT News

Two Black women and a white man look at a window equipped heat pump in the showroom apartment.

NYCHA’s green future? Officials open ‘showroom’ apartment with sustainable features

Heat pumps, inductions stoves and infrared heating panels: these are a few of the climate-friendly upgrades being installed at some public housing developments, with more to come, officials said Tuesday.

1 hour ago - City Limits

Gavin Newsom standing behind a podium, pointing at the camera. The flag of the United States and the flag of California are behind him.

Newsom kills bill requiring polluting factories near schools to undergo environmental review

In his veto letter, Newsom wrote that protecting communities and strengthening manufacturing “were not mutually exclusive.”

2 hours ago - Cal Matters

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design