Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!When people hear the term social housing, they often think of dilapidated high-rises, crime and neglect the kinds of places more likely to appear in crime dramas (think the projects in The Wire) rather than urban planning success stories. Unfortunately, these stereotypes didnt come from nowhere. For decades, poorly maintained projects, flawed planning and chronic underfunding turned many of these developments into cautionary tales.Thankfully, social housing today is not what it once was (despite the stereotypes). Around the world, architects and planners are reimagining what social housing can and should be, creating spaces that are sustainable, inclusive and deeply community-focused. Yet the shadow of past failures still looms large, fueling prejudice and resistance.Why did so many of these projects fail and why do those failures still shape perceptions? Understanding where social housing falteredand how its being transformed todayis key to making it work for the future. With that in mind, lets take a closer look at this unique typologys past, present and future.A (Somewhat) Brief History of Social HousingIn case you are only vaguely familiar with the typology, social housing, broadly defined, refers to subsidized or government-controlled housing designed to ensure affordability for low- and moderate-income residents. Unlike market-rate housing, it addresses a social need, often through capped rents or mixed-income models that promote inclusivity.19th-century London, View of Whitehall from Trafalgar Square which is blurred with pedestrian and carriage traffic, 1839, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia CommonsSocial housing was born out of necessity. In the late 19th century, rapid industrialization in Europe brought waves of people to cities, overwhelming existing housing stock and creating overcrowded slums. Governments, alarmed by the public health crises and growing unrest, began experimenting with housing solutions that prioritized affordability and sanitation. This early wave of housing projects aimed to provide workers and their families with a basic level of dignitysmall, functional homes with access to light, air and clean water.By the mid-20th century, social housing evolved into something far more ambitious. After World War II, the massive destruction of urban centers spurred governments across Europe and North America to rebuild quickly. Architects and urban planners embraced modernist ideals, envisioning high-rise developments as efficient, utopian answers to housing shortages. Le Corbusiers vision of the machine for living and similar ideas deeply influenced the typology, favoring dense, uniform structures over traditional streetscapes.Pruitt Igoe 1968, Aerial shot,marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia CommonsThe scale was unprecedented. In Britain alone, more than a million council homes were built in the decade after the war. In the United States, federal housing programs expanded, culminating in large-scale projects like Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis, which opened in the 1950s as a symbol of optimism and progress.Yet, as lofty as the goals were, cracks began to show almost immediately. While these projects were designed to address housing shortages, they often failed to account for the social and economic complexities of the communities they aimed to serve. Many of these early developments became isolated, stigmatized and difficult to maintain.Understanding this history sets the stage for exploring the failures and successes of social housing in the modern era. What started as a noble idea eventually became synonymous with decline in many places, but that wasnt the whole story and it isnt the story today.Why Social Housing Fails and Architectures Role In ItThe optimism that fueled early social housing projects quickly collided with complex realities. One of the most well-known examples practically a cautionary tale taught in architecture schools is Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis. Completed in 1954, the project consisted of 33 high-rise buildings designed by Minoru Yamasaki, who would later design the World Trade Center. Pruitt-Igoe was initially seen as a modernist triumph: sleek, efficient and ready to provide affordable housing for low-income residents. But less than 20 years later, it was demolished.Pruitt-Igoe , marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia CommonsSo, what went wrong? Economically, the project was doomed by systemic underfunding, segregation policies and the citys economic decline. As industry jobs left St. Louis, the tax base eroded, leaving little funding for maintenance. Buildings deteriorated, vacancy rates skyrocketed and crime became rampant.Architecture, however, played a significant role in amplifying these problems. The design prioritized efficiency and density over human needs, creating towering, uniform blocks that felt impersonal and dehumanizing. The sheer scale of Pruitt-Igoe made it difficult for residents to develop a sense of ownership or community. Shared corridors and stairwellsintended as spaces for interactionwere long, poorly lit and lacked natural surveillance, making them feel unsafe and unwelcoming. Combined with the projects isolation from surrounding neighborhoods, residents were left disconnected not just socially, but physically, from jobs, amenities and support systems.A 1999 photograph looking northeast at the William Green Homes of the CabriniGreen housing project, with visible former right-of-way of Ogden Avenue, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia CommonsThis isnt an isolated story. Similar trajectories unfolded in other high-profile developments. Cabrini-Green in Chicago, another infamous example, followed a comparable path of initial optimism, economic neglect and eventual demolition. In London, Robin Hood Gardens designed by celebrated architects Alison and Peter Smithson attempted to create community with streets in the sky.stevecadman, RobinHoodgardens, CC BY-SA 2.0Again, poor visibility and insufficient upkeep turned these communal areas into neglected, underused zones. The raw concrete brutalism of the buildings, while architecturally significant, required high maintenance that was rarely provided, accelerating their decline.Among architects and urban planners, these projects are now looked at as case studies of what happens when design prioritizes abstract ideals over the lived realities of residents. The lesson is clear: architecture is not neutral. When it fails to center peoples needs, it risks creating environments that exacerbate social and economic challenges.Whats Working in Social Housing TodayToday, successful social housing projects look very different from their predecessors. They are integrated into neighborhoods, human-centered in design and built with sustainability in mind. In many cases, they are indistinguishable from market-rate development, which definitely serves as proof of how far the typology has evolved.Human-Scaled DesignOne of the biggest shifts in social housing design is the emphasis on human scale. Large, imposing structures of the past often felt impersonal, alienating their residents. Human-scaled design counters this by creating spaces that feel approachable, livable and connected to the community.71 Social Housing Units by Mobile Architectural Office and JTB. architecture, La Courneuve, France71 Social Housing Units by Mobile Architectural Office and JTB. architecture, La Courneuve, FranceThe 71-unit social housing project in La Courneuve, Paris, illustrates this approach. The development breaks up what could have been a monolithic block into smaller, distinct volumes, giving residents access to light, air and shared spaces like patios and community gardens. These thoughtful design choices promote a sense of identity and connection while fostering interaction among neighbors.Mixed-Income ModelsThe importance of mixed-income models lies in their ability to reduce stigma and create more inclusive communities. Housing developments that combine subsidized and market-rate units provide a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. This approach also helps to avoid the segregation and isolation that once defined social housing.ParkLife by Austin Maynard Architects, Melbourne, AustraliaParkLife by Austin Maynard Architects, Melbourne, AustraliaParkLife in Melbourne is a clear example of this model in action. With five of its 37 units designated as social housing, the development integrates a range of income levels within a community-focused environment. Its shared rooftop gardens, amphitheater and other communal spaces encourage all residents to interact, creating a sense of belonging that benefits everyone involved.Sustainability and Passive Design54 social housing in Inca, Mallorca, Balearic Islands by Fortuny-Alventosa Morell Arquitectes, Jury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Sustainable Multi-Unit Residential Building54 social housing in Inca, Mallorca, Balearic Islands by Fortuny-Alventosa Morell Arquitectes, Jury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Sustainable Multi-Unit Residential BuildingSustainability in social housing is essential, not just for environmental reasons but also for long-term livability and affordability. Passive design strategiessuch as optimizing natural light, ventilation and thermal efficiencyreduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, ensuring these buildings remain viable over time.The Inca Social Housing project in Mallorca exemplifies this principle. Its passive strategies, including cross-ventilation, solar panels and thermal inertia, result in nearly net-zero energy use. By employing locally sourced, low-impact materials, the development is both environmentally responsible and cost-effective, setting a new standard for durable, sustainable social housing.Integration with Urban Life26 housing units in Aubervilliers by Benjamin Fleury Architecte-Urbaniste, Aubervilliers, France26 housing units in Aubervilliers by Benjamin Fleury Architecte-Urbaniste, Aubervilliers, FranceIntegration with urban life ensures that social housing is not isolated from the surrounding city. Well-designed projects connect residents to public transport, amenities and green spaces, fostering a sense of inclusion and opportunity.In Aubervilliers, France, a 26-unit social housing project showcases this integration. Located near a park and commercial areas, the development links residents to the broader community through communal gardens, thoughtfully designed pathways and accessible green spaces. Its modern yet context-sensitive design respects the local heritage while creating a bridge between the past and the future.Reframing Social Housing: The Future of the TypologyTrudo Vertical Forest by Stefano Boeri Architetti, Eindhoven, NetherlandsPerhaps the most significant change is how we perceive social housing today. When done well, these projects dont announce themselves as affordable or subsidized they are simply good housing. This shift in design and policy has blurred the lines between social and market-rate developments, challenging stereotypes and creating environments that truly support their residents.By embracing these new principles, architects and planners are proving that social housing can be as innovative and desirable as any other form of housing. From Melbourne to Paris, the best examples remind us that thoughtful design and policy can transform even the most stigmatized typology into a foundation for thriving, equitable communities.Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!The post Is Social Housing Designed to Fail? (And How We Can Make It Work) appeared first on Journal.