Evening star., 1941-12-30
By PAT JONES,
Star Staff Correspondent.

RICHMOND, Va. Dec. 30.-Rich-
mond's real estate firms, faced with
the problem of housing 1890 en-
ployes OF the United States Patent
ONCE, who will be dropped down
suddenly on them within the next
few weeks, will meet today to take
an inventory of their vacancy list
ings.
Results OF the survey, the first
thorough check of available housing
facilities scheduled In some time,
will be turned over to a joint COM
mittee Of the Richmond Real Estate
Exchange and the Patent Once,
which will serve as 9. clearing house
to aid the newcomers in finding
property for rent.
Meanwhile, contradictory view
points concerning the situation have
arisen, some maintaining that Rich
mond cannot accommodate the
Patent ONCE personnel, others that
the present war emergency has had
little effect on the city's population
and that ample quarters are avail
able. Richmond real estate men and
Chamber of Commerce officials ad-
NIT the task at hand will not be
easy, but they believe they can
meet the demands.
One Richmond newspaper, obtain
ing poll Of real estate firms that
leaned heavily toward the pessi-
mistic side, indicated that "at first
glance the situation looked dark" +"
although available rental records
do not bear this out.
735 Units Found Available.
A recent study conducted by the
Real Estate Exchange in connection
with the plan to locate the Patent
Once outside the National Capital
revealed 735 available housing units
The total consisted of 1876 houses,
1874 fats, 212 apartments and IA
new houses on the market still
unsold. Vacant rooms were not
included
Using the census average Of AZ
persons to a family these units
would house 30,870 individuals. But
Richmond real estate men say they
have been informed only approx
mately $50 OF the 1890 employees OF
the Patent Office have families and
will want houses or fats. The re-
mainder will desire apartments or
room and board.
There is no shortage of rooms and
boarding houses in Richmond, real
estate men say. Accustomed to
frequent visitors drawn by the city.
| historical attractions, Richmond
always has catered to large num-
Der OF transients, they point out
and now that tourist travel is al
a virtual standstill, these facilities
would be available.
Eighty per cent of the vacant
housing units included in the re-
cent survey, according to Lewis G
Chewing, president of the Rea
Estate Exchange, are situated ir
the north or the central west ends
OF the city. These, while not it.
extremely elite residential areas
are considered among its nices
sections.
Accessibility Factor.
Still another factor that make.
them suitable to the type of resi-.
dent involved in the Patent Ofic,
personnel, real estate men believe
Is their accessibility to the four.
story brick building on Lombard,
street in which the Government
offices will be located. Many of tn,
rooms and apartments in the cen.
trail west end, where in some block.
as many as three and four 80
rent" and room and board" sign
are posted. are within walking dis
tance OF the proposed Office quar-
tiers.
The type of living facilities avail
aoie also indicates that Richmont
Will be able to meet the situation
or 49O housing units listed as va
cant in 1910 by the U. S. Bureau O
Census, 1854 rented for s35 or NOR,
per month. The average rent for 4,
mouse in Virginia's Capital is S.
and $50. Frank Hindl, chairman O
the joint clearing house" commit
tee, said he had been informed b.
Patent Office officials that tn,
higher pay roll brackets of the per
sonnel to be moved include 100 EN-
ployes with salaries of 5000 O
more per year, 100 with from $3.50
to $4,000, and with 300 with from
$4,000 to $1,000.
During the last four years, accord
Ing to a survey conducted by tn
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
1882 new houses have been erecte,
in TIE city. Many of these wer
financed by the Federal Housin
Administration. A recent check
according to the Richmond Build
ers' Exchange, revealed that onl
20 per cent of the F. H. A. house
had been sold.
Vacancies Explained.
In explaining how Richmond hap
pens to have vacant houses in
period when most communities Q
its size or larger are crowded, res
estate men explain that the city
one that has not received an In
! fiux In population because Of eme1