Book Review: Ben Austen’s High-Risers: A Look at Chicago’s Most Famous Public Housing Complex

By: Gwendolyn Havern

For 2025, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to read 10 books, which is 0.83 books per month. January’s pick was The Book of Mother by Violaine Huisman, which tells the story of two sisters and their difficult childhood shaped by a complicated relationship with their mother. It was good, but I was looking for a change of pace. I craved something academic but not too boring and statistical, so I opted for a book about the realities of a Chicago public housing tower. 

For this month’s review, I read High-Risers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing by Ben Austen. I first came across the book at the Just Economy Conference hosted by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition where speakers highlighted innovative ideas on fair housing policy. Inspired by the conference, I wanted to dive deeper into the topic, which is why I recommend occasionally picking up a non-school book related to your field of interest. It can be a great way to re-energize your passion for your career path and break away from the routine of required coursework.

High-Risers tells the story of the infamous public housing project Cabrini-Green located on Chicago’s Near North Side. Instead of relying on statistics and legal jargon to trace the history of its rise and fall, Austen focuses on the lives of four Cabrini-Green residents: Dolores Wilson, Kelvin Cannon, J.R. Fleming, and Annie Ricks. Through their experiences, he paints a vivid picture of public housing that extends beyond the stereotype of poverty and crime. Through the voices of past ‘high risers’ leadership, and deep-rooted community bonds form in the face of immense hardship.

Credit: NYT Magazine

Dolores Wilson, an enthusiastic tenant council president, dedicated herself to advocating for her neighbors even as violence surged around her. Her story showcases the resilience of long-term residents who fought for stability amid constant uncertainty. A particularly heartbreaking part is when Dolores' husband dies shortly after finally securing a Cabrini-Green 19th floor unit. Despite this, Wilson goes on to be a strong voice and leader. 

Kelvin Cannon, born into Cabrini-Green’s system, experienced the harsh realities of gun violence, break-ins, and gang culture. Yet, through his story, we also see the strength of community bonds. He recalls a P.E. teacher, Mr. White, who took Cabrini-Green’s children under his wing, formed sports teams and a tumbling group—proving that even in difficult environments, leadership and mentorship thrived. Cannon later became involved in local politics, navigating the instability of displacement policies and tenant rights disputes while still living in an unpredictable and often unsafe environment.

J.R. Fleming’s story follows him from youth to adulthood. Notably, he is used to displaying the entrepreneurial drive many in North Chicago relied on while barred from employment. From a street peddler to a housing rights activist, his character suggests a central theme in the book: transformation through struggle. His story serves as a cautionary tale of how systemic failures in public housing policy pushed residents into unrest. Tenants did not just survive but opted to fight back and demand better conditions. 

Finally, Annie Ricks, the last tenant to leave Cabrini-Green before its final demolition in 2010, brings the book to an especially poignant close. She moved into Cabrini-Green in 1989, initially desperate for stable housing for her five children, and ended up raising thirteen there. Her story resonated with me the most because it demonstrated how deep the roots of Cabrini-Green’s community ran. Even after residents were displaced, many maintained their connections through Facebook groups, “Old School” reunions, and vigils for those who passed. The bonds forged in Cabrini-Green did not disappear with the high-rises; they lived on in the people who called it home.

Austen ensures that High-Risers does not solely focus on the strife of public housing but also highlights the leadership and resilience of its tenants who navigated extreme poverty and ever-changing, often destabilizing institutional forces. Cabrini-Green was more than just a failed housing project; it was a community shaped by its residents, their struggles, and their collective determination to create something better.

High-Risers is a compelling read that challenges preconceived notions about public housing and the people who live in it. It left me reflecting on how policy decisions impact communities in ways that statistics alone cannot capture. If you’re interested in urban policy, community development, or just human stories, I highly recommend it.