• As shown by Singapore and Hong Kong, we know that public housing can work and can be maintained well.

    It is very strange seeing public housing in France and the US becoming slums.

    • Vienna found a weird workaround to make social housing not become slums: Let some influential people live there too. Don’t make it housing only for the poor. Make it housing for everyone.

      In Vienna’s social housing, they mix almost all the social classes. Poor immigrants live there, as do young academics. Simple laborers live there, as do local politicians.

      A government that doesn’t care can neglect a building full of folks who can’t stand up for themselves. They can not easily neglect a building that also houses outspoken, politically active educated folks. They can not easily neglect a building where some of them live themselves.