During my research, I gathered a general perception about public housing from the articles I read. Unlike many debated topics, this problem appears to keep the same image no matter where you reside. I read numerous articles published from the east to west coast, all containing related topics about drugs, crime, teen-age pregnancy, and frustrations caused by government red tape (As Life Unfolds 5). It appears to me that proposed solutions were the only disagreements writers made in their articles. To gather an idea of the local opinions on public housing in Huntington, I conducted a small survey. In particular, one question from the survey ask, "Name the first two things that come to your mind when you think of public housing?" The answers, crime and drugs, appeared on four out of five surveys. This response, I feel, is adequate proof that the negative stereotype with public housing is not only a national dilemma, but a local dilemma also. Likewise, every participant stated in the survey that they would not feel safe living in the public housing due to the image it holds within the community. Consequently, widely spread negative opinions such as these are obviously apparent and harmful to residents in low-income housing.

The stereotyping of low-income housing residents can be compared to an epidemic. For example, adults are subjected to the "disease" of low-self esteem which becomes highly contagious in their community. Self-esteem can be described as the judgements we make of our own worth and the feelings associated with those judgements. High self-esteem implies a realistic evaluation of the self's characteristics and competencies, coupled with an attitude of self-acceptance and self respect. In contrast, a tenant with low self esteem would have poor self-acceptance and self respect causing many negative outcomes (Berk 431). For example, despite the many beneficial programs currently offered to the residents such as an adult education/computer class and a women's mentoring program, the attendance and participation rate appears alarming. Proving that low self-respect causes a decline in determination and motivation of the residents. Therefore, as a community we need to ask ourselves who benefits from narrow-minded individuals opinions. After all, our tax dollars produce these programs, but since we make the individuals feel less of a citizen we continue throwing our money away; as well as the future of our children.

Laura Berk, Ph.d., an expert in child development at Illinois State University, explained in her book, Child Development, that the way society treats children's parents also plays a factor in this issue, because during this impressionable, critical period a child will imprint their parents's reactions and imitate them throughout childhood into adulthood (Berk 23). As one Housing Authority manager, Shelly Walker, stated in an interview I conducted, "Children in public housing live their childhoods in survival mode." Certainly, any citizen can grasp the concept of the traumatic effects this places on a child's development. Unfortunately, the contagious epidemic in low-income housing has now spread from the parent to the child.

We, as a community, can turn this problem around for our local projects and their tenants. However, if we choose to continue the regimen of demoralizing these citizens, we can look forward to a public housing system such as the Ida B. Wells facility in Chicago. Because of the Chicago community's stereotyping, because of the lack of role models, because of living in fear, children of this project describe themselves as "M&M's -all hard on the outside and sweet on the inside." Tough, swaggering and ruthless on the outside, because "if they see you're soft in the projects it's like a shark seeing blood," and on the inside, vulnerable, frightened, lost (Kakutanti 7). Imagine the trouble children experience trying to make sense of their lives when the general community stereotypes them into certain roles. In addition, on top of living with negative stereotyping, children who attend an elementary in the middle of Chicago's most dangerous project are subjected to horrendous violence. Sadly, four times in two weeks these children were led into the halls to avoid stray bullets from local gang disputes (Belluck 1). Nonetheless, children this age typically do not understand that conditions such as living in poor neighborhoods, attending dangerous schools, and viewing illegal actions, are not of the norm and that there could be a better way of life. Similarly, these children need to comprehend that the school system, community, and city leaders are to blame for their lack of safety at school. Unfortunately, during the course of writing this article such tragedy has happened in our hometown. With in the past month there have been three murders in the Huntington Housing Authority developments. For instance, at a Marcum Terrace apartment on March 26, two men were murdered allegedly over drugs. A Marcum terrace resident made the comment in the Herald Dispatch that he is now afraid for his sixteen year old daughter to live in this establishment anymore (Walls 1). Naturally, with this type of publicity on the front page of our local newspaper many Huntington residents will also come to the same conclusion as the Marcum Terrace resident. However, this perception can be altered by putting forth an effort similar to the Los Angeles Housing Authority.

The city of Los Angeles Housing Authority presents a prime example of successful collaboration between media and public housing. Similarly, like the Huntington Housing Authority, they offer a multitude of programs to their tenants. However, on the Los Angeles Housing Authority's web page I read numerous positive press releases by local newspapers, applauded their participation statistics, and viewed many pictures presenting safe, family oriented events, such as community sporting tournaments and picnics. Indeed, the majority of information presented on this site showed the general public the success stories and accomplishments of the residents. These positive images, I feel, display this Housing Authority as a productive environment. The countless reports show enthusiasm in activities such as a Youth Entrepreneur Demonstration project and a Youth Visual Art/ Theater class (City of Los Angeles...). In addition, programs such as Moving to Opportunity take individuals out of high poverty neighborhoods and place them into low poverty neighborhoods. Also, the program tracks these families and evaluates the effect of moving on their employment, education, and social well-being for future reference (City of Los Angeles...). The participation by the adults and children, in the Los Angeles Housing Authority, show a positive image and high self-esteem to the general public.

Similar to Los Angeles, Huntington is becoming a technologically based city. An approach such as a company web page would be a superb idea for the Huntington Housing Authority. For instance, a web page created by the residents, adults and children, with minimal assistance by HHA employees would be an excellent start at presenting a positive media image. This approach would give those with motivation to succeed a way to exhibit their victories and achievements. As a result, a web page might possibly encourage others to follow their neighbors' leadership abilities. Consequently, this site would influence the general public's opinions also. For example, I had no previous knowledge of the City of Los Angeles Housing Authority, but after viewing their site I was informed and impressed with their information and left with an admiring image of their residents' determination.

In addition to a HHA web page, a public relations liaison would be a beneficial expansion to the Huntington Housing Authority. During a discussion with Tim White, the Resident Support Supervisor, he informed me that eighty percent of the public relations work falls to him, in addition to the numerous programs he currently oversees. Mr. White also stated he was aware of only one press release, the opening of the Sports Center, being reported to the Herald Dispatch. However, short articles have been written on the after-school programs, but the Herald Dispatch requested the information for their purposes. Regardless, during the months of research for this paper the only article I came across in the Herald Dispatch was the front page report of the viscous murders at Marcum Terrace. Therefore, a full-time public relations employee would be able to make sure that frequent press releases were made on behalf of the Huntington Housing Authority. By reconstructing the media procedures into a positive image, the community will have a new prospective on low-income housing.

Not only will positive changes with in the HHA affect low- income housing's image, but outside involvement also would improve the situation. For example, in Chicago a group of business men have volunteered their time and effort in organizing and coaching little league teams made entirely of children from the projects. Nevertheless, their job has not ended on the field; their efforts continue in areas such as tutoring, computer experts, and cheerleaders. Despite tragedies such as five players being slain since 1990 and an umpire serving a hundred year sentence for murdering a seven year old the teams continue to play ball in this Chicago housing project ("A Diamond in the Rough" 14H). Similarly, community involvement is also prevalent in Washington, D.C. Two concerned women from the community took it upon themselves to get permission to take over a vacant apartment and turn it into a safe haven for children. At this center the children are exposed to more than tutoring and organized sports. Events such as poetry readings, dance recitals, and monthly talent shows keep the children occupied and enthusiastic (Milloy B01). In the Huntington area, companies could make a stand and be a role model for citizens. Their involvement with low-income housing would make way for more positive programs and opportunities. Obviously, more programs would mean reducing the number of negative past-times that children are subjected to.

Certainly, another solution to this dilemma in Huntington could be patterned after the current policy at the New Orleans Housing Authority. Their system was in complete ruins and renovations appeared to be unreachable. However, a complete turnaround was accomplished by a joint effort with Tulane University, a New Orleans university. Students and faculty at Tulane completed a reorganization of the agency. For instance, they started with the eviction of criminals and drug users, reduced the backlog of work orders by 9,000 and improved response times for such things as plumbing repairs from months to days or hours ("Miracle in New Orleans" 74). In these housing units, residents have been recruited to do maintenance and help with security and job placement. Since Huntington has a major university, Marshall University, the Huntington Housing Authority would benefit by looking into this approach. With a university's support many advancements could be made in the low-income housing community. The numerous clubs and organization on campus could include activities with the housing developments into their current schedule. This advancement would not only make more programs, but give the children role models.

The eagerness, dedication, and persistence of these community heros show that a positive attitude can benefit low-income housing residents in many ways. Likewise, these programs enable the tenants to become self-sufficient by developing in areas such as, job skills, communication, and educational degrees. Accordingly, this environment would provide the children of low-income housing a positive and productive childhood. Hence, the odds for these children suffering from low self-esteem and needing government assistance later in life would reduce tremendously. Speaking from personal experience, on a trip to Chicago last summer with a group of friends we made a wrong turn during our tour. As a result, we were right in the heart of Chicago's most dangerous housing projects. The enormous housing developments, barred windows, and trashy atmosphere was frightening. I was shocked to drive by a day-care and see barred windows and a chain link fence adorned with barb wire. This image has been forever embedded in my memory of this city. A memory such as this is not what we want the tourists of Huntington to leave with. And, do we want our citizens of Huntington, especially the children, living in this environment? The improvements that I suggested, which are being implemented by other city's, appear to be recovering their systems. Currently, I do not feel that the condition of the Huntington Housing Authority is completely equivalent to the housing developments of Chicago. However, if nothing is done to stop this current downhill pattern, with-in time we will also be facing turmoil as they have. As the adults in this community, we need to take initiative and present a positive, supportive, and spirited future for the children of this city, with no regards to their living arrangements. Granted, damage has been done to the adults living in the housing projects who have suffered with this stereotyping for years. However, the time has come to educate ourselves on the ways that we, as the Huntington community, can revoke this stereotyping to save the self esteem, morals, and development of these children, as well as the community's future.

1. Name the first two things that come to your mind when you think of public housing?

Responses: inadequate, crime ridden, drugs, sexual crimes, poor people, welfare, run down

2. Would you feel safe or in danger while living in the public housing developments provided in Huntington, WV.

Responses: 5 out of 5 surveys= NO

3. What is your overall opinion of public housing and the residents?

Responses: Public housing is taken advantage of, needs modern improvements, to much crime, cheap, people are poor,