Techwood Homes 1^st federal housing project

   Charles Palmer main mover and shaker of the project

Built through the public works Sold to public as an unemployment issue Build as a white project Playgrounds libraries Kindergarten Laundry areas Of the 25 acres only 25% used

Minimum room sizes Ventilation Bathroom Refrigeration Water Heating/cooling 2-3 story buildings $1.18-$5.20 per room

University Homes: similar to Techwood Homes but for blacks

John Hope homes added to University Homes

Clarke Howell added to Techwood Homes

Housing left up to local management with a careful selection process

Only supposed to be an interim stop not a final stop

Concept of public housing sound but the application needs work

During construction existing residents were kicked out

During the 1950’s the selection process broke down

People were evicted when they made over a set income.

Mixed-income housing in Atlanta

Techwood Centennial Place 

Not designed as a housing project (last resort)

40% of new apartments to public housing

20% to other low income

40% to mid income

Public/private housing with private management

Of the 213 former residents only 37 were qualified to return after being told they would all be able to come back.

Credit/criminal checks

Inspection of current residents

Eviction via crimes

Mixed income provided role models/resentments

Other than elderly low income must show steady improvement

The city

Coke major industry had hand in pocket of politics most of the time

73  first black mayor; Jackson

      Shift from downtown focus to focus on the neighborhoods

      Funds -> housing rehab sewers civic etc.

      Upset the city businesses

75  business group crits the use of block grant for suburbs

Didn’t like the fact that they didn’t have the sway with the mayor that they were accustomed to.

77  Mayors office of economic development formed

Used about 50% of block grant for public works downtown revitalization

Mayor switched his views from neighborhood to center businesses.

Andrew Young further fell into the businessman’s pocket

Not elected with business help but asked for their help to continue

Economic growth with trickle down to the poor

Business government partnership

Almost forced to work in the business community

From 77-86 1.1 million federal grant funds to revitalize the fairly-poplar area for aesthetic improvement of “views” for the bus riders

Vine city

Long promise of better housing

By 1997 the dome was build

Churches gone

Houses gone

$10 million trust fund that never came

Atlanta’s pro-business middle class agenda had no room for the low income (Not a priority)

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mgoodwin@mgoodwinDESIGN.com