Housing Justice Reimagined: Lessons From a Forgotten Anti-Poverty Initiative

In urban areas throughout the U.S., the housing crisis has escalated dramatically. Rent prices are surging, homelessness is increasing, and working-class neighborhoods face the threat of displacement. While these issues may seem unprecedented, they mirror the challenges faced over half a century ago. During the 1950s and 1960s, urban decline and racial segregation dominated political discourse. In response, President Lyndon B. Johnson initiated the Model Cities Program, an ambitious urban policy reform aimed at empowering communities by addressing the root causes of poverty. Launched in 1966, this initiative emphasized comprehensive planning and citizen involvement in local governance. Despite facing financial constraints and political shifts, the legacy of Model Cities remains influential. Its lessons on democratic participation and community engagement are highly relevant to today's housing inequities.