Le Claire Courts, Chicago

LeClaire Hearst Community is a Chicago housing project.

It is home to families who have resided there for two generations, over 50 years. There are single family homes, town homes and row houses. The row houses are seated between Chicago Midway International Airport and the Stevenson Expressway.

LeClaire Courts was public housing at its best. Located between 4300South and 4500South on Cicero to 5200W Life emphasized community and family.Originally built for returning WWII and Korean war veterans and their families, this was one of the housing projects where, then Executive Director Elizabeth Wood, initiated an unheard of integrated housing policy. Though there was an informal limitation on the number of minorities, it was a bold step for 1950s Chicago.There were no single-parent households permitted, prospective tenants were screened and rules were enforced.The result was a well-manicured community centered around family activities. Though it did not remain integrated, the community institutions and attitudes remained to serve long-term residents well. Residents at that time were considered homeowners-in-training, as a result, when many moved out, they purchased homes. For those who grew up there this "ideal public housing community" served us well, evidenced by our number of college graduates and lack of contact with the criminal justice system. It created lifelong relationships, as I still have the same friends I began elementary school with. We still have a annual neighborhood reunion.Former resident Sylvester E. White