The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-12-14
Sluln Clearance Is
Taken Up By Towns
Smaller Communities Now
Interested In Low-Rent
Housing Progrdm

Washington, D. C.-Awakening of
smaller communities to realization
that slums exist in their midst as well
as in the larger cities is evidenced by
their increasing participation in the
USHA low-rent housing program,
Nathan Straus, Administrator of the
United States Housing Authority, de-
clared today.
Twenty-eight cities and towns with
populations Of approximately 10000
or less already have organized local
housing authorities for cooperation
with the USHA, he announced.
Seven of these communities have
obtained commitments for USHA
loans to finance ten proposed projects.
Two of these communities, including
one with less than $500 population,
have started construction of their
projects, while three others have had
USHA loan contracts approved by
President Roosevelt.
Approval of loans to the two other
small communities is expected in the
near future when they have completed
preliminary requirements fixed by the
United States Housing Act Of 1887
under which the USHA functions.
Commenting on this increasing in
terest among smaller communities in
the USl1A slum-clearance and low
rent housing program, Mr.. Straus
said:
"When the United States Housing
Act was before Congress two years
ago, it was generally believed that the
large cities would be the principal
benefciaries. Few small cities and
towns had begun seriously to look in
to their housing problem.
"Today the picture is quite different.
A large and growing number of small
er cities and even towns and villages
and strictly rural communities have
organized active housing authorities.
In most cases, also, these local au-
thorities have the ardent support of
their local governments and of local
business, trades, civic and social
groups-from bankers and other busi-
nessmen to labor unions and welfare
workers."
Mount Hope, w. Va, a mining town
with total population Of 2,361, is the
most advanced of the smaller COM
munities in it's USHA aided slum-
clearance and low-rent housing pro-
gram, Mr.. Straus said. Work on q
quarter of a million dollar project,
stadium Terrace" which will provide
decent homes for 70 low-ncome fami-
lies now living in substandard struc-
lures, was begun last September. This
project now is 1870 completed and is
planned for occupancy by May /,
1910.
The City of Mt. Hope donated the
site for tn project and demolished 36
dilapidated shacks on it in which that
number of low-income families had
been living. These families are being
given temporary shelter by the city
authorities until the project is COM
pleted. Additional substandard dwell
ings will be demolished, repaired or
effectively closed elsewhere in the
city to conform to the equivalent
elimination" clause of the United
States Housing Act.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla, with a popu-
lation Of approximately 10000, also
had an USHA aided slum-clearance
project we'll under way. Construction
of this project, which will have $50
dwelling units, was begun last Octo-
Der. The total development cost, in
cluding land and other items, will be
about $4SS,O00.
Sarasota, Fla, also around 10000
in population, has obtained a USHA
loan contract for a project to rehouse
60 low-income families. 1t is planned
to begin construction next March
The total development cost is esti-
mated at $204,000.
Beverly, N. j., population about
1000, will begin construction of al
USHA-aided project next June. IT
will care for II families to be removed
from substandard housing. The esti,
mated total development cost is $780,.
600.
Bristol, Va, with a population OF
about $500, has obtained USHA loar
contracts for two projects. One, te
be built at an estimated overall cost
of $532,C00, will have 142 dwelling
units. The other, to cost about $1S5,
600, will care for 56 families.
Two other smaller communities
which have completed plans for slum
clearance and low-rent housing pro
jects are Pelly, Texas, and Marietta
Ga.
Pelly, Texas, which has a population
of approximately $500, plans two
projects of 60-dwelling units with {
total development cost of about $211,
600. Construction is expected tt
start next September.
Marietta, Ga, with population OF
about 7,7C0, also plans two projects
Each would have 100 dwelling unit:
and cost about 100000. It is planned
to begin construction in July ant
have the projects ready for occupanc!
the following summer.
Communities under 10000 popula
ton, according to the 1880 Census
which have organized local housing