Evening star., 1939-06-03
Really Association
Fights Additional
Funds for u. ). H. A.
No Results in Sight,
More Study Needed,
Association Claims

Emphasizing the need of pro-
gram for rehabilitation of blighted
areas and for attack on poor hous-
ing, and proposing types Of legis-
lation that would open the way to
successful large-scale action under
private enterprise in such a pro-
gram, the National Association of
Real Estate Boards is opposing ad-
ditional appropriations for the
United States Housing Authority.
In communications to the COM
mittees of Congress before whom
is bill to double the present U. S.
H. A. $500, 1000. 900 fund, the asso-
citation asserted that previously ap-
propriated FUNDS have not yet been
spent; that while Federal aid en-
couraging local action and opening
the way to effective large-scale
neighborhood reclamation could be
of the greatest public service, there
Is no indication that the method
at present being employed by the
Authority will satisfactorily solve
the problems for which it was
brought into being.
Aware of the humane motives
which prompted the creation of the
U. S. H. A.. and feeling urgently
the importance of the objectives set
for its work" the association stated,
mo results in sight justify continu-
ance of the present type of de-
velopment. The question of means
for attaining these objectives needs
further research and study"
The associations directors have
approved a report by a committee
which has been studying the prob
lem of housing and of rehabilita-
ton OF blighted areas. The COM
mittee had reports from the real
estate boards of 100 cities in which
U. S. H. A. housing projects have
been planned or are in process of
development.
The report, placed in the hands
Of the congressional committees,
recommends that U. S. H. A build
ing on lands now vacant in outlying
sections be avoided, and that the
unexpended portion of the original
U. S. H. A. appropriation of $780,
100000 be used for slum clearance
In bllghted areas. 1t asked that
efforts be made to replace in these
areas units for the accommoda-
tons of people now living in such
areas.
U. S. H. A-financed projects
should pay taxes to the localities
on the same basis as private owner
ship, even though this necessitates
q larger subsidy. the report held
This method would be better &C
counting practice and would give
to the public a more accurate pic
ture of the financial operations of
the projects and of the cost OF the
projects to the taxpayers, it was
asserted.
The association, by action of its
directors and on recommendation of
its committee after detailed study.
approved in principle a Michigan
House bill. The bill would authorize
the chartering of neighborhood i'm
provement associations with re-
stricted legal powers.
1t also approved the committees
recommendation that continued ef-
fort be made to develop and seek
enactment for State legisla ton au-
thorizing the chartering of public
utility building corporations to op-
crate in blighted or slum areas, pri-
marlly for the purpose Of creating
low-cost housing and with appro-
pirate safeguards for the public in
terest.
1t will seek means for the en-
eouragement of sound projects for
renovation and rehabilitation of old
houses as a means of curing blight
and supplying lost-cost housing &C
commodations.