The Chicago

Photo Collection

Chicago Housing Authority

Robert Natkin

When Robert returned from the war, one of the first assignments that he got was as an Official photographer for the Chicago Housing Authority, a new agency formed to administer public housing in Chicago. He was tasked with documenting the living conditions of poor people on the west and south sides of Chicago so the CHA could use the photographs as "Propaganda" to show that they were buildings to make these people's lives better.

Click on the photos below to view them full screen.

Woman with Broom

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Lady sweeping her floor

White Front Grocery Store

1949
Chicago, Illinois

White Front Grocery Store

Girl Walking Through Garbage Strewn Alley

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Girl Walking Through Garbage Strewn Alley

Men at Stove

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Men in Their Living Room with a Wood Burning Stove


Family Reading Paper

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Family in their Living Room Reading the Paper

Kid Standing in Front of Truck

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Young Boy Standing in Front of Truck

Young Boy Washing His Hands

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Young Boy Washing His Hands

Young Boy in Ghetto Hallway

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Young Boy in Ghetto Hallway


Young Mother and her Kids

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Young Mother and her Kids


Kids Watering Flowere

1949
Chicago, Illinois

Young kids watering flowers

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50's Assignments
The Chicago Photo Collection
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