Evening star., 1938-03-01
RENTS
UNDER % LIKELY
Announcement of Charges
Per Room Expected in
Few Days.

The average monthly rent. ranging
probably between 81 and So per room
with all utility services included. viii
be announced by the United States
Housing Authority in a few days for
apartments and single-famUy dwell
ings at Langston, the Governments
housing development for colored fam
lilies on Benning road NE.
The final determination of the rents
must be based on the addition Of
$2,925 to the general operating costs of
the project, that sum representing the
amount that must be paid annually to
the District government for public
services in lieu OF the usual taxes. II
will boost the average rental charge a
few cents.
Ha1en Satisfied.
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen ex-
pressed satisfaction with the lump
sum settlement. The Langston prof.
ect. If it had been taxed at the regular
rate on real estate, would have pro-
duced an estimated revenue of about
$32,637 to the District, based on its
valuation.
He pointed out. however, that the
addition of 274 family units provided
a civic improvement and meant the
rehousing Of that many families now
occupying homes in the slums. It
would also tend to decrease the prob
lem Of delinquency, he reminded.
Nearly 5000 families inadequately
and improperly housed have already
applied for accommodations at Lang
ston and when the rates are an
nounced. it was expected that number
will be doubled. A subsidy from the
U. S. H. A. will pay for the services
hot water, electricity for lighting and
cooking-at cost of slightly over 81
per month per family. The amount
will be added to their monthly rent,
leaving basic shelter rental that is
expected to be between IS and s6.
Proposed Rent Figures Guarded.
While officials at the U. S. H. A.
have zealously guarded the amount of
rent proposed to be fixed, it has fixed
rents as low as s8.52 per room in New
York's Harlem homes, including util-
tiles. More than a month ago it was
intimated that the rents at Washing
tons Langston project would be lower
than that and compare favorably with
some of the smaller and cheaper
projects.
There are certain elements in op-
Grating costs, and the $2,925 which
must be paid the District is an addi-
tional one. that may boost the rents
at Langston slightly above the very
low level that U. S. H. A. desired in
the beginning.
The housing site covers 1873 acres
which was vacant land when the Pub
lie Works Administration acquired it
in 1885. From this land the District
was receiving 5000 in taxes. so the
service charge which will be paid
annually hereafter is slightly more
than three times the amount formerly
collected in taxes. The deal was a
good one for the Housing Authority
and, considering all things, not so bad
for the District.
Water Not in Service Charge.
Commissioner Hazen pointed out
that the service charge does not in
clude water or trash collection. The
United States Housing Administration
will have to pay the regular domestic
rate for water, which is $8.75 per
$500 cubic feet. As Langston is fur
nished with incinerators, the disposal
OF trash and garbage will afford no
difficulties.
The real cost to the District Is
mainly in furnishing fire and police
protection. The Government has pre-
viously paid the cost of sewer con-
nections.
Franklin Thorne, recently ap-
pointed manager for Langston, ex-
poets to set up his Offices on the site
IN a few days. AS soon as the rents
are announced, he will begin the task
OF selecting tenants This will be q
slow process, each family being re-
quired to fulfill all the rigid rules of
the housing law.