Smyrna times., 1933-02-15
DISCUSS BILL
TO CUT SLUMS
Support of Bill Calls For Gre
alton of Board of Housing
to Eliminate Slum Districts
SURVEY HAS BEEN MADE

Support of the bill introduced in
the Senate by Senator George Nc
Intyre, calling for the creation of a
State Board of Housing, the object
of which is aimed at eliminating
slum districts, providing better liv-
ing quarters in homes and apart
ments, regulation of the price of
rent and other charges, and which
at this time, would provide en-
ployment for sections of the build
ing trade, is being sought by health
and civic authorities. The benefits
that would accrue to health and
modern living conditions, to say
nothing of the barring of exorbit-
ant charges, would prove of great
er benefit to communities where
slum conditions prevail, it is stat
ed than permitting these conditions
to remain. The bill is the result Of
a survey of housing conditions in
Wilmington, made by a Commits
sion named by Governor Buck.
While it would benefit conditions in
Wilmington, more than other
towns and cities in the state, yet
in several of these towns and cities,
it is stated, there are conditions
now prevailing that could be i'm
proved to the benefit of the health
and profit Of that town. Plans have
already been made and estimates
prepared, pending such legislation
as is proposed, and the financing Of
these projects could be accomplish
ed thru the application Of FEEDER
al funds, which are available. In
razing certain slum sections and
replacing them with suitable mod
ern homes and apartments, labor
which is now idle and charge up
on the state could be utilized, thus
relieving in that way some portion
Of the unemployed problem which
Delaware is now facing. In dis
cussing the plan, y. ". Smith, the
director Of the Housing Commits
sion named by Governor Buck, and
the one who made the survey said:
'aThe dwellings to be constructed
under such legislation as proposed
in Senator McIntyre's bill, would
be for the low-income group, who
are now not able to find decent
homes within their capacity to pay.
The benefits of such construction
would be reflected in the general
welfare Of the state as well as the
individual. The elimination of some
of the slum areas, of the state
would be brought about through
the power of the Board of Housing
to authorize the condemnation of
the worst shacks and novels, and
the rebuilding Of those areas with
new homes. The extension Of hous-
ing survey work to all the COM
munities of the state would be of
unreasonable value il bringing to
light the true situation Of the hous-
ing condition and pointing out its
remedies. The cost of carrying on
this work and administer the law
by Board of Housing would be
exceedingly small in proportion to
the returns to the taxpayer. The
elimination of slum areas brings
increased taxable values not only
on the actual property improved,
but on all the surrounding proper
ty, due to raising the standard of
the neighborhood. Crime and dis
ease would be lessened, with low
ering in the costs Of prevention"
The financing Of the projects, Mr..
Smith stated, could be easily ar
ranged, the chef difficulty being in
obtaining the necessary authority
to proceed with the work.