Evening star., 1942-08-23
How D. T.. Area Could
House $4,000 More
Shown in Survey
Every 4 Rooms in City
Would Be Used by
Three Persons

approximately $4,000 additional
persons could be housed in the
Washington Metropolitan Area if
total room space were utilized on
a basis of three persons for every
four rooms.
This conclusion was reached by
the Work Projects Administrators
Division of Research and Statistics
as a result Of sample survey made
for the National Housing Agency in
Washington, Arlington County, Va.
and Alexandria, Va, 1t was an
nounced yesterday. The study en-
braced a population of 100000 Of
which 10000 were white and $4,000
colored.
In contrast to the picture of un-
used rooms, including 32,700 bed
rooms, the survey revealed a low
vacancy rate and high proportion
Of overcrowding.
Explaining this paradox, survey
officials pointed out that the hous-
ing of $4,000 additional persons
could be achieved only If present
overcrowding odntinued and three
persons were placed In every four
rooms In the area surveyed.
5000 Dwellings Checked.
The survey was an enumeration
Of more than 5000 dwelling units
in a sample carefully selected to
represent structures in all sections
of the three communities.
The gross vacancy rate was OF per
cent, and the rental vacancy rate
04 per cent, the survey showed. No
vacant dwellings were reported for
colored persons.
Overcrowded dwelling units
those having more than 11z persons
a room-made up 216 per cent OF
the dwellings for colored persons
and So per cent of the white dwell
ings, it was announced. These units
had only a. per cent of all the rooms
in the area, but were occupied by
1872 per cent of the population, ex-
elusive of persons in hotels, CONNER
cial rooming houses, housing prof.
ects and tourist camps, which were
not included in the survey.
Almost fourth or 239 per cent Of
the dwelling units for white families
and 1875 per cent Of those for col
ored families we're not occupied tc
capacity. Without exceeding the
formula Of three persons for every
four rooms, they could have housed
$4,000 additional white persons anc
5000 additional Negroes, 1t was
stated. These dwellings had three.
tenths Of all the rooms in the whole
area but were occupied by only 9
sixth of the population.
Data on Use of Rooms.
Interviews with household mem
bers, the survey disclosed, indicated
that a total of 28,500 bedrooms il
dwellings occupied by white fami'
lies were not currently used a.
sleeping rooms. In units occupied
by colored families, about 1900 bed
rooms were not used for sleepinl
quarters. Many of these bedroom
were being used for other purpose
and some were not furnished will
beds at the time of the survey.
Y Only $500 of the 32,7O0 bedroom
in occupied dwellings, however. wer
2 offered for rent. These rooms wer
S expected to accommodate $40
roomers. About seven-eighths o
;, the rooms for rent were in dwell
4 ings occupied by white families, an
|. the remainder were available il
h colored households.
: Three questions were asked b.
k those who made the survey:
>; /. How many rooms are availabl
p for rent and how many persons ca
L. they accommodate?
O. How many bedrooms are avail
S able that are not being used TO
$, sleeping purposes?
:. 3. How many rooms are availabl
3. for all purposes?
Survey Analysed.
Several 1nferences can be mad
,e from the sample survey, 1t wa
IS pointed out. The first is that
race is on between new arriva.
It and new housing construction
Whether the influx of war worker
Is at an estimated total of 5000 eae
s. month, will absorb entirely tt
c. housing units now nearing compl
ton, or whether present overcrow,
le ing in some areas may be relieve
A. by additional facilities are question
. on which survey officials refused
al. comment, other than to admit tt
j. race is not matter of dispute.
es Washington residents who ha
is lived here number of years we
0e accustomed to a good deal OF spae
it was explained. With the influx
war workers many home owners ha
been reluctant to rent spare room
A third conclusion that could
Ill reasonably inferred from the 81
IS vey, 1t was said by housing ofncia
he Is that newcomers seeking it
ty room have q good chance Of obtai
n ing one II they start ringing doc
a bells. inamuch as few of the