In "Origin of Everything: Why Do We Have Housing Projects?", the video explores the history and significance of public housing in the United States. It highlights the Great Depression as the starting point for the U.S. government's involvement in public housing and discusses Professor Lawrence Vale's research on societal responsibility in providing housing to those in need. The video traces the evolution from model tenements and philanthropy to the establishment of public housing projects under the New Deal. It examines issues of maintenance, crime, and budget constraints while emphasizing the continued demand for public housing. Additionally, it discusses the role of photojournalism, such as Jacob Riis's "How the Other Half Lives," and the Federal Housing Administration's policies impacting the racial landscape of public housing. Relevant for understanding housing developments, government intervention, and urban planning, the video offers a comprehensive view of public housing's role and challenges in the U.S.