Why Chicago's Worst Public Housing Project became a National Disgrace

Cabrini-Green, once a nationwide symbol of crime and urban decay, has seen gradual demolition over the past two decades. Originally home to 15,000 residents, the complex has transitioned into new retail and upscale condos, dispersing the African American community throughout the city. The area, historically known as "Swede Town," "Little Sicily," and later "Little Hell," was notorious in the early twentieth century for poverty and deteriorating buildings. **Chapters:** 00:00 The public housing unit infamous for crime 02:31 Immigrants that inhabited Goose Island 03:59 Little Hell is bulldozed to make room for Cabrini-Green 05:20 The opening of Cabrini-Green 06:37 The homes targeted veterans of WWII 07:40 CHA assigning tenants to housing based upon race 08:29 The Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority suit 10:09 Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne moved into Cabrini-Green 10:28 Marion Stamps organized strikes and protests 11:56 Chaotic New Year's Eve celebrations 12:56 Chicago police patrolman were shot and killed 13:45 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 15:53 The legacy of Cabrini-Green in pop culture 16:42 Closing: Problems with public housing #UrbanDecay #CabriniGreen #HousingHistory #PublicHousing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices