The inter-racial Metropolitan Housing Council was founded in 1934 to provide housing for low-income families. It initiated the Illinois Housing Cooperation Act, which led to the formation of the Chicago Housing Authority and the building of the first public housing projects in Chicago. It also instigated neighborhood rejuvenation projects and helped to develop Chicago's first housing code. The name was later changed to the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), which continues as a nonprofit, non-partisan group of business and civic leaders. MPC conducts policy analysis, outreach, and advocacy in the areas of housing, transportation and urban development.
The selected images are taken from records that date from as early as 1934. The collection at the UIC Library also includes correspondence, reports, newspaper clippings, other photographs, minutes, newsletters, educational materials, speeches, and legislative materials. The material deals with the topics of air rights, parks, housing, subsidized housing, urban renewal, landmarks, urban planning and the organization and operation of the Metropolitan Planning Council.