02. The Slum... Is Rehabilitiation Possible? brochure, Chicago Housing Authority, 1946.
In 1944, the City of Chicago granted funds to the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) for a feasibility study of building rehabilitation in blighted neighborhoods. One year later, in their publication Housing Goals for Chicago, the Chicago Plan Commission would state that "Rebuilding and rehabilitation both have their place in a sound redevelopment program." Nevertheless, though deemed possible for 8 out of 10 structures, rehabilitation was determined to be undesirable for the CHA's needs:

"Complete razing of the area, and erection of new dwellings under public ownership and subsidy, would result in an average rent of about $25.00 a month. This makes obvious the conclusion that modernization of slum buildings is neither profitable for private owners, nor the economical way of providing subsidized housing under government ownership."

"Chicago Looks Ahead: 100 Years of Planning, 1909-2009," Case 4, Ryerson & Burnham Libraries, September 29–December 1, 2010
Link to R&B Archives Digital Collections record