New-York tribune., 1920-02-29
Island Borough Is
OvercrOwded and
Rents Are Moving
UpUnder the Great
Demand for Hous-
ings; Builders Are
Doing Little to Re-
ieve Most Acute
SituatiOnThat Ever
Confronted Citv

There are indications that the rental
increases that will be demanded next
fall throughout the metropolitan dis
trict will be the largest ever levied
There will be no real reason for such
an increase, except that landlords
(some landlords). feel that since every
thing they have to pay for is still go
ing up, they may as we'll push up their
prices. And because people must live
in flats and houses the higher rentals
will be paid.
Relief from increased cost Of hous-
ings is just as far away as ever New
construction, which alone can solve the
space problem both for householders
and Office tenants, viii not by any
means approach the volume necessary
to take care even of years normal
growth in New York. The congestion
that has been, growing during the last
few years will be greater than ever,
and those who look for new locations
will be disappointed generally.
New homes in the city are beyond
question, for they are so few in num-
her as to be almost negligible. In this
situation the only avenue Of relief is
in the surrounding boroughs and the
nearby suburbs. There some building in
small units has been under way since
last fall. Perhaps all of these small
units may be able to relieve to a small
extent the overwhelming demand from
New York. but it must be remembered
that there is a large demand for homes
even in the communities where build
Ing has been undertaken, and New York
ers who will need residences this year
would do we'll to start looking for them
now.
To help such folks The Tribune in
tends to make thorough canvass of
the entire district and report each
Sunday on what it finds Too much is
not to be expected. At the start it
must be said that practically nothing
is for rent. 1t is buyers market and
prices demanded will be considered
pretty stiff in most cases.
Manhattan Folks Do Not Want to Leave
The known reluctance of Manhattan
folks to move far away from their
island leads to the suggestion to home
seekers that they try Flatbush, Brook
lyn. Between Malbone Street and
Kings Highway, east of the Brighton
Beach transit line, hundreds of homes
are under construction. 1t is estimated |
by some that $50 houses have been
erected there since last summer, while
there are others who would place the
number at 800. At any rate, the num-
Der is considerable. The greatest con-
struction is to be found south of Ave-
nue. II. They are all single family
homes, and many are still in the mar
ket awaiting buyers.
There is little for rent in Flatbush.
Several apartment houses have been
erected but every suite was taken by
Flatbush dwellers long before the
buildings we're completed. One of the
few apartment structures added to
Flatbush this year is at the corner of
Regent Place and Ocean Avenue Oc-
cupants of the three-room suites have
each invested $4,000 in the house and
will pay $25 a month rent for each
room so long as they remain in the
house. The $4,000 brings them per
cent and the assurance that their rent
will not be boosted. Larger accom-
modations require larger Investment.
The price of admission is never re-
turned, but the right to sell the priv