Historical Housing Research

An assortment of documents, artifacts, and data related to historical housing research.

Housing Act of 1937

The original bill text for the 1937 Housing Act, which created the system we know of today as “public housing.”

Housing Act of 1949

The original bill text for the 1949 Housing Act, which made changes and expansions to the public housing program, emphasizing role of “slum clearance.”

Housing in the Seventies

A 1974 report by HUD during the Nixon administration, helped shaped the pivot away from construction of public housing towards vouchers. Critiqued by the Senate Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs, who had seen the interim report in 1973.

Chronology of Housing Legislation and Selected Executive Actions, 1892-1992

A 1993 report documenting in extensive detail changes to federal housing policy over a 100 year period.