I live in a middle to upper middle class area, so please excuse my ignorance. Anyway, I've read a bunch of threads where people asked how Willona got into the projects being a single woman. So here are my questions:

• Is it unheard of for a single person to live there?
• I thought people lived there because they were poor and couldn't afford to live in a better area, but are there rules because of overpopulation? Is it still like this today?
• Could it be possible that Willona lived in that area growing up so she was able allowed to remain there? Or could it be because she lived there when she was married, but was allowed to stay after the divorce?

I'm sorry if my questions sound stupid. I just don't know what life is really like in the ghetto...other than what I see on TV. (And we know how realistic TV shows are. ;))

http://i41.tinypic.com/2v9zn1v.jpg

I have a few relatives that live in the projects and it's just barely a roof over your head. Imagine all the terrible conditions that you would never want to live amongst....and that's the projects. May you NEVER know the angst and the agony of having no other choice but to live in the projects.

I live in a middle to upper middle class area, so please excuse my ignorance. Anyway, I've read a bunch of threads where people asked how Willona got into the projects being a single woman. So here are my questions:

• Is it unheard of for a single person to live there?
• I thought people lived there because they were poor and couldn't afford to live in a better area, but are there rules because of overpopulation? Is it still like this today?
• Could it be possible that Willona lived in that area growing up so she was able allowed to remain there? Or could it be because she lived there when she was married, but was allowed to stay after the divorce?

I'm sorry if my questions sound stupid. I just don't know what life is really like in the ghetto...other than what I see on TV. (And we know how realistic TV shows are. ;))


Projects are for poor families. Willona was single and had several outfits which was confusing how she got a place in the projects

I know the projects are where very poor people live, but that doesn't explain why people question Willona living there. Just because she was single doesn't mean she had money. I get what you're saying about Willona's clothes, but Thelma had a lot of outfits too. James and JJ wore the same couple of outfits all the time and they were always complaining about bills. Thelma should have been wearing the same 2-3 outfits over and over too.

I know the projects are where very poor people live, but that doesn't explain why people question Willona living there. Just because she was single doesn't mean she had money. I get what you're saying about Willona's clothes, but Thelma had a lot of outfits too. James and JJ wore the same couple of outfits all the time and they were always complaining about bills. Thelma should have been wearing the same 2-3 outfits over and over too.


In real life, a single woman has to have kids to get into project housing. So that's why everyone always question how she got in because they were built for FAMILIES not a single person

It's possible that Willona's clothes were gifts; maybe from family, or even from male suitors. I have several nice shirts that someone else gave me. For myself, I tend to buy cheaper stuff.

As to her single status, I'm not sure about that. I agree is seems likely that the projects were intended for those with families.

As to her single status, I'm not sure about that. I agree is seems likely that the projects were intended for those with families. Is it possible she

What?! Don't let us hanging! LOL

What?! Don't let us hanging! LOL


Sorry I was going to say was it possible she HAD a family (mother, father, sister, etc) that moved away, but surely we would have heard about them during the course of the series, particularly if she had had children, which we know she didn't because of the adoption of Penny.

It's possible that Willona's clothes were gifts; maybe from family, or even from male suitors. I have several nice shirts that someone else gave me. For myself, I tend to buy cheaper stuff.

As to her single status, I'm not sure about that. I agree is seems likely that the projects were intended for those with families.


It is not realistic for a women to have a apt in the projects and living alone without kids or a man

It's been a while since I saw the episodes when Penny came along. I forgot how Willona was able to adopt her but it seems unlikely that a single, unmarried woman in the projects could adopt a kid.

It's been a while since I saw the episodes when Penny came along. I forgot how Willona was able to adopt her but it seems unlikely that a single, unmarried woman in the projects could adopt a kid.


I can't remember either, I know Bookman tried to pretend and be her husband but failed.

I remember that episode! That's the one where Wilona coined the phrase, "NEGRO, PLEASE!" It became her mantra in later episodes.

It is not realistic for a women to have a apt in the projects and living alone without kids or a man

Apparently Wilona was married a few times in her life. So who's to say that when she moved into the projects that she wasn't married.

The way "the projects" and "the ghetto" were always presented on "Good Times" usually makes me think- The projects failed. It's sad that so many people live in such bad areas....I'm glad churches and other groups work to help improve their situations. I try to support such groups and their work as well- Jesus said that when we help the least of these His brethren, we are really doing it unto Him.:) :cool: (see Matthew 25).

Apparently Wilona was married a few times in her life. So who's to say that when she moved into the projects that she wasn't married.


If she was married she would be eligible for the projects:lol:


It was probably before she moved to the projects

If she was married she would be eligible for the projects:lol:


It was probably before she moved to the projects

I'm telling you that single people without children who are in a low income range is eligible for public assistance such as low income housing. Why is that so hard for you to grasp?

As far as her clothing, she did work at a boutique so she probably got a discount on the clothes.

I'm telling you that single people without children who are in a low income range is eligible for public assistance such as low income housing. Why is that so hard for you to grasp?


If anything Willona should have been on a waiting instead of taking away a spot from someone with kids who would needed the apt the most

She lived alone with 2 bedrooms which made no sense since a family of 3 could have used that spot.


Now she made have been eligible for low income housing but a place with 1 bedroom not 2

If anything Willona should have been on a waiting instead of taking away a spot from someone with kids who would needed the apt the most

She lived alone with 2 bedrooms which made no sense since a family of 3 could have used that spot.


Now she made have been eligible for low income housing but a place with 1 bedroom not 2

She did not have two bedrooms, she had a one bedroom apt. When Penny moved in with her Penny was sleeping on the couch. In the episode "Matter of Mothers" there was only one bedroom door not two.

You say that Wilona was taking up a spot. If Wilona could not afford to live in a regular apt then where was she suppose to live? On the street? A lot of people do not have family that they can lean on in times of need and maybe that is why Wilona lived in the projects. She did what she could until she could do better for herself.

As far as Willona having nice clothes, she was probably allowed to borrow from the boutique sometimes. I'm sure her boss wanted her to dress well since she was representing the boutique. And the tiny bit of money she did have to spend was probably used for clothing (with an employee discount) and cosmetics. Being able to dress nicely doesn't mean a person is wealthy. Look at the dress Florida made Thelma for her prom; it was really pretty.

She did not have two bedrooms, she had a one bedroom apt. When Penny moved in with her Penny was sleeping on the couch. In the episode "Matter of Mothers" there was only one bedroom door not two.

You say that Wilona was taking up a spot. If Wilona could not afford to live in a regular apt then where was she suppose to live? On the street? A lot of people do not have family that they can lean on in times of need and maybe that is why Wilona lived in the projects. She did what she could until she could do better for herself.


How she qualify to get penny again? The fact that she had a 1 bedroom apt and no husband should have disqualified her

How she qualify to get penny again? The fact that she had a 1 bedroom apt and no husband should have disqualified her

Penny was a preteen and Wilona was stable woman. I think that the only thing that she had to pass was the psych test/meeting. Since older children are hard to place, and the fact that Penny loved Wilona prob would have been a played a big part in the adoption process. Also Wilona and Penny shared a room, so it's not like she didn't have a place to sleep. Also you do not have to be married in order to adopt a child.

Penny was a preteen and Wilona was stable woman. I think that the only thing that she had to pass was the psych test/meeting. Since older children are hard to place, and the fact that Penny loved Wilona prob would have been a played a big part in the adoption process. Also Wilona and Penny shared a room, so it's not like she didn't have a place to sleep. Also you do not have to be married in order to adopt a child.


I just know here in philly it was no such thing as a woman living alone in the projects.


Living alone in an apartment yes, not the projects

I just know here in philly it was no such thing as a woman living alone in the projects.


Living alone in an apartment yes, not the projects

Why not? If that was all that she could afford. It was subsidized housing, so it's not like she was on section 8. Where was she suppose to live? On the street?

Why not? If that was all that she could afford. It was subsidized housing, so it's not like she was on section 8. Where was she suppose to live? On the street?


I have to ask my mom

I have to ask my mom

Why do you have to ask your mom?

Why do you have to ask your mom?


Because I was not alive when Good Times premiered on CBS so I would not know if it was unusual for a single without kids to be living in the projects during that time

Why do you have to ask your mom?


Talked to my mom and she just stated Good Times was unrealistic and that she knew of no woman living alone in the projects

Talked to my mom and she just stated Good Times was unrealistic and that she knew of no woman living alone in the projects

Hate to break it to you but your mother does not or did not know every woman who lived in the projects back in the 70's. I believe anyone who is in a low income bracket can qualify for subsidized housing.

Hate to break it to you but your mother does not or did not know every woman who lived in the projects back in the 70's. I believe anyone who is in a low income bracket can qualify for subsidized housing.


I posted a thread about her other reasons why she felt the show was not realistic at the time lol

The way "the projects" and "the ghetto" were always presented on "Good Times" usually makes me think- The projects failed. It's sad that so many people live in such bad areas....I'm glad churches and other groups work to help improve their situations. I try to support such groups and their work as well- Jesus said that when we help the least of these His brethren, we are really doing it unto Him.:) :cool: (see Matthew 25).

Not sure about all cities but the projects sure failed here. If this link doesn't work,just google PRUITT-IGOE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruitt%E2%80%93Igoe

Not sure about all cities but the projects sure failed here. If this link doesn't work,just google PRUITT-IGOE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruitt%E2%80%93Igoe

Reading about these places makes me wonder why they were left to fall apart. I read the page about Pruitt-Igoe. It took two years to build and then it was left alone and immediately deteriorated. How was that allowed to happen? And then only 18 years later it was gone. Buildings should last a lot longer than that! I know all buildings need maintenance, but that's just way too fast. Where they built poorly because they were put up so quickly? Maybe cheap materials contributed to it? Unskilled labor? Who is supposed to pay for the upkeep?


Edit: I found an interesting story that, like my thread, is also called Tell Me About "THE PROJECTS" (http://radiantwriting.hubpages.com/hub/Tell-Me-About-The-Projects)

I believe your last question is the answer. (Money)
Someone comes up with the idea,even has the money to get it started but that's where it ends. It's not just housing, It is happening everywhere around here, airports started and left abandoned, shopping malls, office buildings. If you google HOMER G.PHILLIPS HOSPITAL you will see the same thing, people just give up on it and move to another city.

Thank you, Mike, for pointing out interesting places for me to Google. When I started this thread, I knew nothing about the projects anywhere. I've learned a lot over the last week or so.