Lake view terrace

In the first 20 years of the 20th century, as European immigrants, African-Americans and others came to Cleveland to look for jobs in emerging industries, the population of Cleveland increased dramatically. Just like other industrial cities in the United States at this time, these poor new immigrants and their families often live in slums and apartments because quality housing is scarce and unaffordable. This concerns reformers, who are worried about the impact of unhealthy and possibly immoral living conditions on the poor.

This is a positive and pioneering effort by Ernest J. Bowen, a city councilor and housing reformer. From 1933 to 1960, he was the director of the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority, ensuring that Cleveland became a leader in public housing projects. As early as the mid-1930s, before the city received millions of dollars of federal funds to build three of the first public housing projects in China, Born and other reformers studied housing conditions and sought ways to establish public-private partnerships to encourage new housing construction, with mixed success.

The federal plan during the Great Depression helped the development of public housing in Cleveland and provided the funds needed to turn the reformers' ideas into reality. In the mid-1930s, PWA approved the construction of lakeview terrace, Cedar Center and Outhwaite residence, making Cleveland the first federally funded project. 1937, the city held a celebration to celebrate the completion of the project. Eleanor Roosevelt, the first lady, attended the inauguration ceremony of the lakeview terrace.

Built on a sloping hillside overlooking the industry along Lake Erie and the old estuary of Guyahoga River, the lakeview terrace is designed as an ideal environment, which provides an ideal environment for struggling families who can't find affordable housing in other parts of the city, although not necessarily poor families. A multi-functional community center, playground, a large number of green spaces and several murals enhance its appeal.

Reformers intend to use lake views and other projects as temporary parking spots for upward-moving families. In direct opposition to unhealthy slums full of bad habits, these slums will produce positive American values and strong and healthy children. In fact, at the beginning of their establishment, the prospect of moving to public housing was a source of excitement, optimism and relief. At a time when most American working-class people have not made owning a house a realistic choice, this is a promise of public housing.