The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-03-30
Housing Chief
Visions Homes
ForLow Incomes
Strdus Says l55 Cities Are
Participating In New
Program

Washington, ID. Cone hundred
per cent optimism with regard to the
progress being made in slum clearance
and providing comfortable dwellings,
FOR those workers whom employers
refuse to pay decent wages was ex-
pressed by Nathan Straus, Admins
traitor of the United States Housing
Authority, in an address in the Natl
onal Radio Forum program over the
nationwide network of the National
3roadcasting Company.
With over 5000 dwellings for low
ncome groups being constructed every
month, employing thousands of work
ers who would otherwise be in the job
less army, Mr.. Straus visioned the
completion in two years of homes for
1t least 10000 families under the
provisions of the United States Hous-
ing Act of 1887.
Emphasizing the fact that 1855 cities
IN 20 States, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico are now participant
.ng in the slum clearance and rehous-
'ng program, Mr.. Straus said:
"It is almost a year to the day since
the first loan contract for a public
housing project was approved by
President Roosevelt. Today there are
public housing projects under loan
contract in 80 localities.
"When completed, a year hence,
these projects will provide new homes
for 10000 families now living in the
slums.
"The men employed in construction
Of these projects are being paid pre-
yailing wages. They are employed
by private contractors under normal
working conditions.
But this is only the beginning.
Every month from now on at least
5000 additional new homes will go in
to construction. Every month 5000
or 10000 men, now unemployed, will
join the ranks of those gainfully en-
ployed either in the construction in
dustry or in the factories and plants
of the Nation which provides the
sinews Of construction"
Taking up the scheduled program
of housing for low income groups, Mr..
Straus declared:
"The United States Housing Act
enacted by the Congress in 1887 es-
tablished slum clearance and rehous-
ing on a permanent and more eco
nomical basis.
"Today, 18 months later, $3.50, ,OO0,-
900 has been set aside by the United
States Housing Authority for slum
clearance and rehousing projects in
1876 cities.
"These projects, when completed
this year and next, will provide de-
cent homes for more than 100000
families with incomes ranging from
an average of about $l,1O0 year in
few of the larger Northern cities
down to an average of $4OO in some
of the Southern towns.
"The great majority Of families in
housing projects erected under the
U. S. H. A. program will have in
comes of from 5000 to $500. A con.
siderable number of families will be
from the relief rolls.
"a public housing program makes
men and women conscious of how
their neighbors live, what their city
is actually like and what it might be
The city that has a slum clearance
and rehousing program under way
you will find, has better zoning ordi
nances, has cleaner streets, has re-
newed interest in health problems
school problems and park problems
AS part of the rehousing program, the
interest of the community is aroused
in putting it's own house in order.
"There are requests before tht
United States Housing Authority fol
more than $3O0,OOO,OO0 for additiona
housing projects. No funds are avail
able today and no further funds will
be available either for loans or an
nual contributions until the Congress!
authorizes an expansion. have every
confidence that this program so finely
launched is but the beginning of wha
will be achieved as the Congress give!
US added funds to help more cities t.
wipe out more slums."