Research on residential crime patterns in 150,000 New York City public housing units has established that the combined effect of the residents' social characteristics and the projects' design affects the crime rate. Architectural design concepts applicable to all-level income housing ranging in type from single-family housing to high-rise apartment buildings are advanced that foster a more proprietary and, therefore, safety enhancing attitude by residents toward their buildings and neighborhoods. Housing types are classified in four basic categories and examined in terms of the suitability of each type to residents of different ages, family structures, backgrounds, and life-styles. Specific design guidelines for each recommended building type/resident group combination are presented. Plans and designs are presented for housing that can be built at costs equivalent to, and in some cases lower than, existing housing. The different defensible space findings and guidelines developed are applied to the programming and design of two new housing developments. Addendums contain a brief comparison of the construction costs and development costs for building types, and window and door hardware security requirements. (MLF)