The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-29

Chicago, H., March 29-To meet the defense housing problems of their communities real estate boards where an emergency is threatened are taking active steps, in co-opera- ton with other civic and business groups, to keep @ balance between housing demand and housing sup ply, says the National Association of Real Estate Boards. Notable cur- rent surveys of the kind are those recently initiated by the Cleveland Real Estate Board and by the h. dianapolis Real Estate Board.
 Tn Indianapolis, under Earl B. Teckemeyer, president, the Real Es- tate Board called together 8 group of interested organizations, checked the facilities in the city. They es- timated, upon analysing facts given by principal industries, including those coming in, that approximately 5000 new housing units would be needed in Indianapolis in 1941, found, on check, that normally ap- proximately 5000 new units would be built in the $4000 or under class during the year, with builders pledg- ing that this number can be dou- bled If necessary. At the present ratio of advance they found the cur- rent private building program prob- ably will provide more than 5000 new residential units in Indiana polls during 1941. They estimate that this will be adequate to take care of the influx of expected de- fense workers this year.
 Included in the citizens commit tee on housing through which this study was made were the chamber of commerce through its industrial commissioner, lending institutions (building and loan associations, trust companies, mortgage bankers, in- surance companies), home builders, apartment owners and managers, and the local office of the Federal Housing Administration.
 Central Renting Bureau
 A central rental listing bureau, in operation by the Indianapolis Real Estate Board for the past six months to aid new residents engaged in de- fense industries, will be extended If conditions make 1t necessary. The bureau is especially useful for in- corners who do not require a full- sized housing unit.
 In Cleveland a committee, headed by William E. Malm, president of the Cleveland Real Estate Board, with representatives from other in- terested civic and business groups, have made detailed study of dwell ling needs for the defense program. Their report concludes that without any provision forv acancy there is need in that city for 6,950 dwelling units. To maintain vacancy ra- tio of minimum safety they estim- ate the total dwelling unit require- ments for 1941 to be 13,700.
 The report urges quick action by all interested agencies in the city in setting up room registration, en- couraging repair and rehabilitation of available residential structures, converting other structures to resi- dential uses, stimulating private &C., tivity in the creation of workers homes, and co-ordinating state, county, and Federal facilities to aid this action. The study is expected to be the basis for co-ordinated ac- ton ',
 Cleveland Survey Most Extensive
 BaSedy on the continuous real property inventory of Cleveland, the most detailed such inventory which has never been made in an Amer ican city, the study estimated that expansion in employment in metro politan Cleveland in 1941 would mean a net increase of 51, ,190 work CTS. Too house them there would be need in 1941 of dwelling units total ing 18,500. But vacant dwelling units totaling 11,550 were already available.