Catherine Bauer changed forever the concept of social housing and inspired a generation of urban activists to integrate public housing into the emerging welfare state of the mid-20th century. She was one of a small group of idealists who called themselves “Housers” because of their commitment to raising the quality of urban life through improving shelter for low-income families.

The story of her life and achievement is full of famous names in art and architecture.  Her visionary teachings about the need for housing for the poor and disadvantaged, and the symbiotic relationship between good housing and a healthy society, remain as relevant as ever.