Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-21
SLUMS PROJECTS
GET $1O0,O)O,0D()
Public Works Administration
Considers Detroit for
First Clearance.

The Public Works Administration to-
day turned over $1o0, 000, 900 of its pub
lie works funds to the Federal Emer-
gency Housing Corporation and imme-
diately plunged into the business OF
clearing urban slums.
AT the same time, 1t was revealed that
the first job Of this sort, which is ex-
pected to cost between $4,000, 900 and
$4.000,000 is under consideration in De-
troit, This project aims to provide low
cost housing, with rooms renting at ap-
proximately $3.50 a month.
The public works unit pointed out
that the Detroit project would serve as
demonstration Of what the Federal
Government can do In low cost housing.
Washington Was Considered.
Some time ago 1t was intimated in
ninistration that such demonstration
would be made in Washington. Secre-
tary Ickes said today no authority had
been given for anv slIeh nroiect hsr. q
yet.
Through the Federal Emergency
Housing Corporation, the Public Works
Administration expects to open wide
spread employments, particularly In the
hard-hit building trades. In addition
to the Detroit project, the corporation
IS planning 10 finance projects In about
20 other cities.
The Detroit plan was chosen for the
demonstration because it has been
viewed by ofhcials of the Housing Di-
vision OF the Public Works Administra-
ton as one of the best that has been
advanced, being highly desirable from
social standpoint and well planned from
an engineering standpoint.
On TINS project. as in other housing
projects contemplated by the corpora.
ton, the Public Works Administration
seeks to have the municipalities check
over the houseing units, thus leaving for
future work of the same sort a reyoIy-
ing fund.
Secretary 1ckes said it would be par
tlcularly desirable TO have property in
cities that has been taken over for tax
oeiihquency Tor such housing projects.
any housing projects brought forward
Ior the District of Columbia where the
economic and social needs are clearly
estapLshed will receive very favorable
,consloeratlon, Secretary of Labor Per-
kins said today.
The Secretary is vice president of the
Housing Division of the Public Works
Administration. Her statement with
regard to the District came in a dis
cussion OF the operations Of the divi-
sion.
Says Slums Must Go.
Declaring there is no one thing which
needs to be done more than construc-
lion OF low-cost, comfortable homes.
she added:
Housing projects and the elinina-
ton OF slum districts viii be one of the
most important missions to be under
taken. Stun living conditions In some
OF our cities and towns are disgraceful."
The new program, the Secretary ex-
planned. Is designed to provide proper
and adequate housing for thousands OF
families. In addition to bringing about
permanent social improvement in the
Nation, she amplifled, this project also
will give employment to skilled and un-
skilled labor and provide q stimulant
Tor the building supply industry.
Miss Perkins urged that people, par
.icularly groups OF wage earners In diff
ferent cities, make plans and forward
them to Washington as suggestions for
handling their local housing problems,
In this connection, the Secretary en-
phasized that social surveys should be
made In all cases before the architec-
tural plans are drawn.