Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-07-21
Projects Will Be Similar TO
That Now Being Conducted
by The Star.
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
WILL BE ASKED TO AID
Albert L. Deane, Deputy Admins
traitor, Is Forming Division
10 Give Assistance.
BY VINCENT TUTCHING.

Community modernization cam
paiens, similar TO that being con-
Quoted In the Washington metro
poltsn area under auspices OF The
Star. viii be encouraged by the Fed
eral Housing Administration in its
drive to rehabiltate the rundown
homes Of the country.
Albert L. Deane deputy administra-
tor in charge of modernization, has
fixed as a definite part OF his pro-
pram the fostering OF local property
improvement and renovation drives.
and is establishing in his organization
a department which will be in a po-
sition ut all times 10 give assistance
and direction. TO such community
efforts.
The aid OF civic organizations,
chambers Of commerce, clubs and
similar bodies will be sought by the
r. II. A. In this connection, officials
of the administration have indicated
Already many communities are pre-
pared To launch campaigns the
minute the r. II A. announce COM
pletion of its set-up and the ma
chinery for loosening credit sources
for modernization work starts moving.
Came Here in April
Deane, former General Motors Ae-
eeptance Corp and General Motors
Holding Corp. executive, did not step
into the property moderniSation pic
ture cold" when he was named by
Housing Administrator Moffett a little
more than week ago. He has been
in Washington since last April, work.
ing closely with the National Emer-
rency Council and the Chief Executive
IN drafting the comprehensive housing
act, and Is thoroughly familiar with
ell It's features. and notably the mod
ernization section.
For weeks he has been working out
broad program for promoting prop
erty rehabilitation, and as soon as
the details of establishing an organi-
ration have been completed-which
will probably be within the next week
he expects to move rapidly for
ward with the drive, reaching into
every community in every State,
Loan Policy Unsettled.
Questions Of how far the housing
administration will 60 in authorizing
loans for repair, limited to $4,000 in
each case. have yet to be settled, but
1t is understood they will be restricted
10 expenditure for repairs which are
structurally a part of the real estate.
This means that mi-detachable
equipment like radios and mechanical
retrigerators would be excluded IL
is understood. also, that landscaping
improvements hang in the balance
Decisions on these and other questions
are looked for in the near future.
To be certain the money advanced
will be expended wisely the loanine
agency will be required to obtain
written certif1Cation as to its use, or
else the discounting Of the note must
be arranged through the contractor.
The policy 10 be pursued that nc
mortgage or lien on the property will
result from these loans, unless re-
ouired by local law. is expected TO be
en- additional inducement to home
owners. and the Federal guarantee 10
the private lending institutions against
losses up to 20 per cent is seen as
putting them in a receptive frame OF
mind. when borrowers approach.
Posters for Campaign,
In connection with The Stars 81 0oC
Better Homes Contest, now starting
its fourth month several thousand
display posters have been prepared
for use Of citizens committees push
ing the competition in the various
communities. Coming coincident with
DEVELOPMENT Of the Federal plan fol
financing improvements. these vii
serve to keep the modernisatior
thought before the public's mind il
displayed in store windows, clubs anc
other establishments.
Contest entry blanks and deScrip
tive booklets also are available at The
Star to those desiring 10 enter thu
contest and these may be obtained
also by application to the Bette
Henes Contest Committees of thu
several citizens associations cooper
sting with The Star in the movement
Prizes in The stars contest arr
divided in two groupS-for homes val
ued al Sl2. 900 and less and for home.
appraised above that figure In eacf
class the awards will be. First prize
$3.50, second prize. $500: third prize
$50 and four honorable mention prize
of S25 each A special 500 priz,
IS offered by the Board of Trade 70
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