Evening star., 1941-11-23
Action Is Slated
Tomorrow On
Housing Needs
House Committee to
Study Problem of
low-Cost Homes
BY JAMES f. CHINN.

A proposal to expand authority of
the Lsnham Act to provide Federal
funds for construction of homes in
the District for Government workers
In the low-income group is expected
to be considered tomorrow by the
House Public Buildings and Grounds
Committee. A meeting has been
called to act on bill authorizing
another s3OOOOO,OOO appropriation
for continuation of the defense pub
lie housing program.
Anticipating congressional ap-
proval Of the plan, housing authori-
ties, it was said, already are working
out a comprehensive program de-
signed primarily to provide low-cost
accommodations for Government
workers with annual incomes of
$1,000 or less. The shortage of houses
for this group, the committee has
been told, is particularly acute.
Suggested by Palmer.
The suggestion that the Lanham
Act be amended to permit the use
of Federal funds to build houses for
Government employees here was first
made by Charles F. Palmer, cO-ordi-
nator of defense housing. He told
the committee during the hearings
on the bill.
"I think the necessity has been
shown on the record for expanding
the authority under the Lanham Act
10 that housing could be provided
here in the District of Columbia and
in the possessions for Government
workers essential to national defense.
1t is necessary in the District
OF Columbia 10 provide for workers
In the income group around $1,000
a year or less, especially those with
large families who cannot rent ac-
commodationS around S45, or S35 or
$50 a month
The original $500 900 900 for public
housing had been allocated last
summer. and President Roosevelt in
a message to Congress June 26 urged
another s300000,000 appropriation.
AT that time the President said
he had received data showing the
Government should be prepared 70
undertake construction of at least
125,000 additional defense homes by
July /, 1912. but it was thought
best to limit the additional program
70 s3oO000000. which would permit
construction of approximately 5000
houses TO fill the most urgent
present needs"
l1.214 Homes Needed.
The total number of homes needed
IN the District in connection with
defense requirements, according TO
a report given the committee several
months ago, was 1l.274 plus 1000
dormitory units for young women.
OF this number 1924 were assigned
TO private enterprise, leaving a total
of $3.50 to be built with public funds.
Chairman Lanhanl indicated he
expected the committee to report
the bill favorably and make it avail
able for House consideration follow
ing action on national price control
NsloldllUll,
When the defense housing pro-
gram is out of the way, the COM
mittee is expected to be confronted
with bill authorizing an increase
from $3.50 100000 to $500 100000 in
the appropriation for defense pub
lie works. Nearly all of the orig
inal appropriation for this purpose
has been allocated. and the Com
missioners hope to get the 100000
or s3,000000 remaining for urgently
needed projects in the District.
A bill authorizing the Federal
Works Agency to advance s6.000,000
to the District is now before the
House District Committee with a
favorable report from its Fiscal
Affairs Subcommittee The full
committee may act on the measure
ct meeting Wednesday.
The most vitally needed projects,
according to the Commissioners, are
additions TO the water supply and
distribution systems, additional
school facilities and extensions to
the sewer system.