Evening star., 1941-03-02
F. ). A. Is Held Lax
In Inforcing Rules
AT GreenbeIt
Families With Incomes
In Excess of Maximum
Remain, Is Charge

Increased demand for housing
facilities at the GoVernment's
planned community at Greenbelt,
Md, it was learned yesterday. has
led to complaint that the Farm
Security Administration has be-
come lax in inforcing town regu-
lations by allowing an estimated
200 to 300 families whose incomes
now exceed the original maximum
levels to remain there.
Town administrative officials, it
is understood, have informally re-
quested F. S. A. to establish a
definite policy to deal with the
problem, and the Executive Com
mittee of the Greenbelt Citizens
Association has decided to seek per-
mission to hold a referendum If
such policy is adopted.
Civic leaders point out that
families now living in apartments
in the community whose families
have expanded since their arrival
are unable to obtain larger homes
now tenanted by families whose
incomes already have gone beyond
the maximum levels.
Protest Working Wives.
They cite further that the problem
has been intensified particularly by
the national defense program, which
has opened up large numbers of
jobs to women. Many Greenbelt
wives, it is understood, have taken
these jobs, leading to complaint by
certain community leaders that the
working wives defeat the original
design of the community-to make
available adequate housing facilities
to families in which only one mem
Der provides the income.
Leaders contend, moreover, that
the problem is made even more
complicated by the large number of
applicants waiting to obtain resi-
dence. These families are turned
away because all of the apartments
are occupied.
Farm Security Administration
sources admit existence of the in
creased demand for housing facili-
ties, but as yet have found no solu-
ton to the problem 1t is emphasized
that the F. S. A. has not withdrawn
its income requirements for resi-
dence at the community, although it
has relaxed temporarily in inforcing
them in the hope that families whose
incomes have gone beyond the levels
allowed will take advantage of the
cooperative home-building program
on Greenbelt's acreage.
Financing Is Problem.
Under this problem tract of land
was set aside with sufficient area for
200 lots. Those interested in the plan
include many members whose in
comes have gone beyond the income
limits, but details of the project
still lare incomplete. One of the
chief obstacles to the program, it is
understood, is the matter of financ-
ing utilities and streets. F. S. A.
officials hold that the agency hardly
could be expected to bear the cost of
these facilities.
In behalf of the complaint of re-
laxed enforcement, F. S. A. sources
point out that, unless the new pro-
gram shows signs of becoming a
reality within a reasonable time, in
come standards will have to be in
forced and tenants affected will have
to leave Greenbelt.
A year ago. at the request of resi-
dents, the F. S. A. allowed a Is
per cent increase in the income
maximum to permit family of four
with an income of So, 900 to remain in
the community even after its income
had been raised to $2,500. 1t is
claimed, however, that many families
now receive annual sums in excess
of this extension.
Income levels originally set at
Greenbelt follow:
One person, $500 to $3.50; two
member family, 5000 to s1.700; three
member family, 81 200 to $1,000;
four member family, 81, 100 to So, 900:
f1ve-member family, $1,000 to s2,100,
and six-member family, $1,000 to
50 1900.