Spaces Of The Heart

Produced by: 
Courtenay Cannady produced under the auspices of the American Association of Museums and Scribe Video Center
Year: 
1993
Duration: 
25 min

This tape tells the story of the James W. Johnson Homes, Philadelphia's first public housing development constructed under the Housing Authority, as seen through the eyes of its 50-year residents and public leaders. The video provides a view of the early days of public housing and the tenant rights movement that arose after the initiative's glory days quickly passed due to bureaucratic neglect.

Johnson Homes defied the negative stereotypes of public housing through its strong leadership, family atmosphere, partnership with management, and the high standards set by its residents. Spaces of the Heart is a story of people demanding and defending their strong sense of place and home when faced with a government that would prefer to forget the Homes exist.

Courtenay Cannady is a writer, producer and public relations practitioner who develops multimedia materials that foster understanding among diverse peoples.