Evening star., 1942-01-27
Palmer Seeks
.$50,000,000 for
D. {. Housing

'VSVVV SWS""S S"sS
WeuId Be Built for
Low-Income Workers
Defense Housing Co-ordinator
Charles F. Palmer today asked
Congress for an appropriation Of
$50, 900 900 for Immediate provi-
sion of housing facilities for
workers called to Washington for
war service.
1t was estimated that 10000 900
of the sum will be needed for addi-
tional utilities and community ia
cilities and SAC, 900 900 for erection of
about 10000 badly needed dwelling
units for low-income workers.
Chairman Lanham of the House
Public Buildings and Grounds Com
mittee, sponsor of recent housing
legislation, said Mr.. Palmer's pro-
posed bill to carry out the $50 900 900
program would be introduced tomor-
row and that hearings would start
Thursday. Mr.. Palmer said the
Budget Bureau has approved con-
sideration of the proposed legisla-
ton by Congress. Members Of the
House District Committee will be
asked to sit in on the hearings, Mr..
Lanham added.
In letter addressed to Speaker
Rayburn, Mr.. Palmer pointed out
the seriousness Of Washington's
housing problem. He said a few
months ago Government housing
experts estimated $4,000 new en-
ployes would be added to Govern
ment pay rolls here during the
period ending July l Of this year.
New surveys now indicate, he said,
that these employees already have
arrived and that $4,000 more will
take up residence in the Capital
within the next six months.
Supplemented Program.
"Of the $1,000 new Government
defense workers brought to the Cap
ital by the intensified war effort, I"
Mr.. Palmer continued, "a recent
survey indicates that Is per cent Of
these workers have been unable to
hnd homes here for their families
which are still residing In the COM
munities from whence they were
summoned"
The housing co-ordinator asked
Mr.. Rayburn for immediate consid.
efation Of An amendments b the re.
cent LAnhAm Housing Act to launch
the huge housing program 'in thu
District Of Columbia and its suburbs
to provide 4 portion of the suitable
quarters in excess Of those rendered
available by Decentralization, for de.
fense workers and their families.
Washington was excluded from shar.
ing In the original Lanham Act
which called for expenditure o1
$500, ,000, 900 to provide housing "fol
defense industrial workers" through.
out the country.
The new program would be sup
Elemental to the 10000 privately
constructed homes and the 7,50(
units to be built by Defense Homes
Corp, which were included in q
program announced by Mr.. Palmer
early in December.
For $1,000 Income Bracket.
The program planned under tht
proposed $50, ,000, 900 appropriation, il
was stated, will provide living quar-
tiers for those defense families ir
the income bracket Of $4,000 or les!
and who are unable to meet norma
commercial rates.
Mr.. Palmer cited the inadequac!
Of earlier housing plans for the Cap
ital, in view of the greatly increased
flow of new workers to the city sine
the Nation entered the war, an,
urged prompt action on his plea TO
the new emergency housing appro
priation. He stressed that existini
facilities will be overtaxed furthe
by arrivel of non-G Government work
ers. The number Of these workers
outside of Government, is estimate,
at $4,000.
The co-ordinator inclosed witt
his letter to Speaker Rayburn
draft of a bill which would provid
for the $50, ,0O0, 900 housing program
Developed by his ONCE in collabora
ton with the Federal Works Agency
it would amend the Lanham Act t
take care of the District situation
Rental vacancies in the Washing
ton area have declined to less thai
/ per cent, Mr.. Palmer said, not
withstanding housing construction
in 1s41 which exceeded all previou
records"