Urban Renewal in New York State

On July 15, 1949, President Harry Truman signed into law the Housing Act of 1949. He promised “decent homes in wholesome surroundings for low-income families now living in the squalor of the slums.” However, in its 25 years of existence, the federal urban renewal or “slum clearance” program failed to meet Truman’s objective. In the hands of local officials, the program instead focused on revitalizing downtown commercial districts and boosting property tax revenue. Many of the residents Truman had hoped to help were instead hurt--by the loss of homes, businesses, and community institutions. By the end of the program in 1974, targeting and clearance of Black and Puerto Rican neighborhoods had made segregation and overcrowding worse.