How best to provide housing for low-income persons has been a topic of considerable debate. Studies indicate a serious shortage of low-cost housing, which appears to be worsening. United States government housing policy has promoted a variety of approaches to providing housing for the low-income population.
One approach involves housing that is owned and operated by the government—“public housing.” Today there are approximately 1.3 million households living in public housing units, managed by approximately 3,300 Public Housing Agencies (PHA). This Article recounts the experiences of public housing in Kansas City, Missouri, which in recent years has achieved much recognition for its success. The focal point of this article is the judicial receivership created through the case Tinsley v. Kemp.