In the UK we have council housing. Property owned by and subsidised by the town. Low rent and a right to buy after so many years of renting.
It's my observation that it's the people that are drawn into these areas. Usually poorly educated or just plain stupid. Underskilled as a result of their mental capacity hence poorly paid low earners. Couple some of this with large families and the income is soon used up.
I have lived in one such council estate and I have to say the vast majority are stand up folk. Just families trying to get by on what meager income they have. Unfortunately its the bad apples. Criminals, drug / alcohol addicts, single parents and parents who can't control their kids. Some of these folk are on a cycle of abuse. Here's a typical example of 1 such family that lived across the road. Numerous accounts of demostic violence. 2 occasions where the father was beaten up by some heavies. Father eventually put gaol for burglary. Single mum turned into part time "lady". I remember one day her coming to the door and she shouts to her 6 year old boy, playing in the street. "Come here you little B*****, your F****** dinners going cold".....in the street man!
That kid is probably nearer 20 now and with that type of upbringing he's going to be just the same as his parents now.
The city council is trying a new tactic with these types of families. The council have purchased house in residential suburbs. The hope being that "normal" families will instill in these dysfunctionals a proper way of living. Guess what? It don't work. The once quiet residentail street is now witness to domestic violence, broken windows and so on. Incidents of crime rising in said areas ...guess who 
Police arresting the kids and so on.
It's the people mate and I would rather they be kept in 1 area well out the way. Those that can or want to achieve more will.
just from personal experience here.
within 5 miles of my home, there's at least 1/2 dozen apartment complexes like this. without exception, each and every one of them is nothing but scum. if there was any decent families in any of them, i never met them. and i would have, having used to deliver newspapers in the am, and pizzas in the pm.
most of these apartments, we wouldn't send a driver in ther solo. always had someone ride shotgun into those places.
even so, had at least 3 drivers robbed.
those that read these......that've heard of camden nj? well.....these apartment complexes are just like little "mini" camdens.
when i go to south street in philly, i drive down 5th street from washington blvd. right on the corner there, is a subsidized apartment complex.
the ONLY time i don't see guys standing outside on 5th, is when there's police around. other than that, there's lookouts on the sidewalk, and the dealers are nearby. even on 20 degree days these clowns are out there.
if these people really wanted to help themselves, they'd be out looking for work, not doing this crap, and messing up the very buildings they live in.
