Evening star., 1937-09-18
f. H. A. ENDS FIGHT
ON POOR DESIGN
Other 0ffensives to Follow
in War on Bad Home
Construction.

A major offensive on the traditional
poor design. ill-conceived plan and bad
construction of the small home, has
lust been concluded by the Federal
Housing Administration. it was an
nounced here today, as the first series
Of az small-home planning conferences
came to an end
The conferences. conducted in AS
many cities. were directed by Howard
Leland Smith. chief of the F. H. AS
architectural section. for the purpose
Of improving design. plan and con-
struction and thl elevating the stand
ard Of the one class of construction
that has suffered most from these
three building evils. More than 5000
builders, bankers and real estate
dealers have participated in these
conferences. bringing into the small
home improvement campaign the
groups most interested in dwelling
construction.
Bad Design a Trait.
1T has been common practice for
years" Mr. Smith said, ito build
small homes without the aid or serv-
ices Of competent architects. The
results have been far less than So It's
factory from the viewpoint Of the
mortgage lending agency and ulti-
mstely the home buyer himself. Bad
design, unfortunately. has frequently
been characteristic OF the single
family dwelling. 1t has been our chief
aim to lift the standard of design and
plan to suggest the very real impor-
tance of architectural supervision and
good. sound construction. Continued
indifference to good design and plan
Is Just another invitation to neiehbor-
hood blight. Our effort has been to
bring to the building industry the
proper methods OF correcting old.
established practices in order to attain
th' desired objective"
Each small home planning confer
snce consists OF two addresses and an
open forum. Those attending hear
discussion of the potential market for
small homes in the particular locality
and an outline Of principles to be
followed in the planning of small
homes. Talk charts and material
taken from F. H. A. Technical Bulletin
No. 4. Principles OF Planning Small
Houses" together with photographs
and cost breakdowns of houses con-
structed in accordance with informa-
ton included in the bulletin are
utilized during the conferences.
Several Ask for Meetings.
'@Those attending the conferences"
Mr.. Smith said, are urged to take
advantage Of the advisory service
made available by the Housing Ad-
ministration in our local Offices or
to consult with members of the confer
ence staff who, as rule. remain in
the local Housing Administra ton office
for several days following the confer
ence. This advisory service provides
an opportunity to improve plans pre-
sented with applications for mortgage
insurance and it also gives the appli-
can't some idea whether or not his
plans conform to the property stand
ards and the minimum construction
requirements. Such reourem ents
must be met before insurance will be
allowed"
Small home planning conferences
have been held in Baltimore, Md:
Newark. N. j.; Jamaica, N. Y; Boston:
Albany, N. Y; Buffalo, N. Y: Detroit:
Chicago; St Louis; Springfield, Mo;
Kansas City, Mo. Salt Lake CITY,
Utah. Seattle. Wash: Portland. Ore:
San Francisco and Oakland. Calf:
Los Angeles; San Diego. Calf:
Phoenix. Ariz.; Denver st. Paul,
Mimi; Indianapolis, Ind; and Cin-
einnatl. Requests for conferences. Mr..
smith said. are continuing to be re-
eeived at the Washington Offices Of
the Housing Administra ton.