In the public imagination, the idea of government subsidized housing conjures up thoughts of a hopelessly inefficient Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or high-rise “projects” where crime and drugs are rampant. That impression, however, bears little resemblance to subsidized housing today. As a practical matter, HUD has been out of the housing construction business since 1978. While it plays a big role in providing Section 8 housing vouchers, it does not build much housing other than small projects for senior citizens and people living in rural areas.