Evening star., 1937-12-04
HOUSING PROBLEM
ACTION DEMANDED
Association Proposes to Get
1t at Meeting in
January.

Action and not words will solve the
national housing problem, and that is
what the Home and Community
Builders National Association pro-
poses to get at its convention here
January IL, II and 13, Don A. Lotus,
organization president, stated today.
"Action--not words-will start steam
shovels putting. saws buzzing and
hammers pounding" LOTUS said. "Ac-
ton will start the wheels of the home
building industry turning; will put
millions OF men to work; put hundreds
of millions Of dollars into circulation
and will produce modern, low-priced
homes for millions of Americans.
Recently there have been gather
ngs of industrial leaders, chamber
OF commerce secretaries and others to
discuss the housing situation. Thou
sands of words have been uttered and
more thousands printed. Perhaps this
talk has clarified the problem; per-
haps 1t may stimulate action in GER
tain quarters. If so, fine.
Talk or Results?
president Roosevelt has interested
himself in the problem. His message
to Congress contained pointed sugges-
t1ons for solving the home building
problem, some of which undoubtedly
have merit. Members of Congress
nave entered into the spirit of the
movement and apparently are on the
way to liberalizing F. H. A. REQUIRE
ments.
will this be Just so much talk gone
with the wind or will it result in the
kind Of action we need to promote
building?
Members of the Home and Com
munity Builders Association decided
months ago to launch a national
home-building campaign in 1888. US
ing the facilities at hand to achieve
their objectives. Nothing has hap
pened since that time to disturb the
line Of action originally proposed.
The problem of building and SELL
ing houses must and will be solved
by the men in the industry. Many of
these are In the same position as in
ousrislists who have idle factories
and machinery but who either lack
proper financing or who have failed
TO adapt their methods to changed eco
nomlc conditions. Given the proper
plan, these builders may readily revive
dormant properties and take advantage
OF the buyers market that really
exists.
Revised Methods to BE Urged.
Having studied the housing stu
alton thoroughly. members of this as
soclatlon are convinced that the So
luton to volume building lies in ac-
ton based on efficiency in planning,
buying and building. They will urge
revised methods which already have
proved effective in the production and
sale OF low-priced homes in numerous
communities.
Success of the plan. which will
oe detailed at the January meeting
seems assured from the widespread
interest and hearty response occa-
stoned by the first announcement
Scores Of land developers. who own
improved tracts available for residen-
tal building activities, have signified
their Intentions of attending. With
them will be representatives of lead
Ing financial institutions which have
Indicated they have almost unlimited
funds available for long term, Iow-in-
is-eSt construction loans.
Two Elements Joined.
Thus We will bring together the
TWO most important elements in the
whole housing field-experience and
eapitaL Without the collaboration of
these TWO elements no amount of talk
VIII get building started. Likewise
10 new legislation will be effective.
Talk at the home builders conven-
ton will not be on the question of
how can it be done? but how it has
and Will be done The entire pro-
gram will be directed toward getting
immediate action on proved plan
that embraces all factors involved.
from the development of the land to
the financing of the home. BY this
knd OF action We hope to reach our
goal OF two billion dollars worth of
slnsle-family, detached homes in 1888 ="