The Washington times., 1935-05-04

puId Shup'NA VI 'A
Mr.. Boyd says:
"There are those who assert
that too much new housing in
any given section of a city will
unset the values of older homes
in nearby areas. Such a state
ment, however, at once makes
a valid argument in favor of pro-
ceeding with such a program.
For the older properties will
then be in line for mOderniza-
ton, not by each owner as an
individual, but by all owners in
each block collectively.
"While such a procedure
might be but one part of the
program in those cities which
can offer plans for their develop
ment, the block mOdernizatiOn
feature can be put into opera
ton in any city, and at once.
RELIEF WORK
"The recent enactment of the
Presidents huge wOrk-relief bill
will make it possible for certain
of our American cities to cor
rect some of the errors of their
thoughtlesS youth tn Oug h
broad programs of rehabilita,
ton. All that would be required
would be intelligent selection Of
locality, CAPABLE direction and
cooperation of owners.
"After any block was deter
mined upon, a property could be
selected and arrangements made
with its owner to remodel with
private funds or through the
Federal Housing Administration
loans. This house as it was be.
ing improved could be con.
slant exhibit and afford an in
SpiratiOn to all other owners in
the block and neighbOrhOOd.
ITO carry out this idea of
group mOdernizatiOn, the Fed.
eral Housing Administration
might inaugurate a new block
program, as distinguished from
its present retail Set-up, where
by individual architects would
be commissioned to handle each
Of the various blocks assigned
to them.
Each architect would be ex-
pected to show by photographs.
sketches, schedules of cost and
rental estimates, the advantage
of such block mOderniZatiOn. 1t
is a known fact that many own
erS of property now dilapidated
in an otherwise desirable block
will not mOdernize their houses
individually, but would do SO If
assured that practically ali other
owners in the same block will do
likewise.
AID ON LOANS
ITO help induce the owners
to take part, the work of pro-
curing the loans might be les
sened by having the FILA en-
ployes assist the owners in this
phase. Also for its immediate
labor producing factor, the To-
cal works division of the Fed
eral Emergency Administration
could put men to work demOl-
ishing the sheds, fences and so
on, and assisting in cleaning up
the open areas. ....
"In States where recOnditiOn'
ing loans are being made, the
local cOOrdinatOr could arrange
for a collaboration between FILA
and Hole and LWD in any
complete block mOdernizatiOn.
And, for the rehabilitation of
blocks, as later mentioned, IVA
could join in the collaboration.
"The owners who voluntarily
cooperate by starting to modern
lze their properties, using loans
through FILA financing could
be required by FILA to comply
with the general scheme for the
block, and if done privately, the
architectural services could be
arranged for group activity, pro-
vided the owners comply with
the design for the block facade.
BUY OLD HOUSES
"FOr those properties to be &C
quired in order to replace them
with new homes to conform to
the block development, it is log
zeal to assume that owners of
such decadent and uninhabit-
able properties would be only
too willing to dispose of them
at a fair price for the redemp-
ton Of the block.
cit is obvious that the units
built with Government financ-
ing in such block developments
will be adequately designed.
Such new buildings would with
out doubt attract tenants from
the old houses and apartments
a.. VNTI~s1A