For some, the words “public housing” often conjures visions of crowded, unkept properties of freeloading residents. Neighbors cry “not in my backyard” to city councils and effectively prevent such housing. Others of us tell our children to avoid them at every turn.

I am ashamed to say that I shared some of those perceptions. Many people often have similar perceptions of such public agencies. We outweigh social benefit with fiscal “wasted” cost. However, I recently visited “public housing” and see a few things differently. I visited both sites of the Bureau County Housing Authority … you know what I am talking about … “those high rises in Princeton and Spring Valley.”

I was amazed at the condition of both properties. They were clean, organized and well maintained. Everything had a place, and everything was in its place. As a construction professional, I found the workmanship extraordinary. As a taxpayer, I found well utilized resources. As a friend of a potential tenant, I found the site to be heaven sent!