The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-12-04
CONSTRUCTION
MOVING FAST
ON new HOMES


Last Wednesday at the Booker T.
Washington Trade associations
MONDAY luncheon. the Wayne
County Better Homes. Inc. out
lined its program TO the business
men of Detroit.
The program was conducted by
Richard H. Austin. certified public
accountant. who is auditor and con-
troller for the corporation.
Fred A. Allen, treasurer. told how
he became interested in the corpo-
ration and how certain he was that
the housing situation for Negroes
in Detroit would be alleviated con-
siderably by their building pro-
gram. He also recommended the
corporation as a sound business in
vestment.
Explains Homes
Donald F. White, architectural
engineer and architect for the cor
poration. spoke briefly on the con-
struction planning necessary to
carry out the business of building
homes. the type of construction be-
ing undertaken by the company
and the various local and federal
agencies through which all appli-
cations must be processed. George
Isabel. owner OF the Isabel Man.
agement company, extended con-
gratulations on behalf of the De-
troit Real Estate Brokers associa-
ton to the organizers OF the Wayne
County Better Homes. Inc, for the
progress that they have made and
the contribution they are making
to the community. He also stated
that the members Of the Detroit
Real Estate Brokers association are
willing to aid the corporation in
the promotion OF its program.
Construction is we'll under way
on Detroit's first private war hous-
ing project at Binder and Grixdale
avenues, near the Sojourner Truth
homes, it was announced Saturday
by Senator Charles c. Digs, pres
ident of Wayne County Better
Homes. Inc. First homes are sched-
uled TO be completed by January.
The project now being built will
be known as Conant Gardens and
will comprise rs homes. financed by
Negroes. built by Negroes and for
exclusive Negro occupancy. One -
being built for Jesse Owens, famous
track champion.
The Federal Housing Admins
tration has set aside 500 priorities
for homes for Negro occupancy.
and the remaining ATS will be taken
up for second and larger all-Negro
housing development on Cherry.
lawn. Northlawn. Greenlawn and
adjacent streets between Pembroke
avenue and Eight Mile road west
Senator Diggs said.
The homes will be for sale and
for rent.
mot % new homes were built foe
Negro occupancy In Detroit In the
last 10 years" Diggs said Tho
Negro is sensitive about forcing
himself into other neishbQyhoods
and the builders would not build
in Negro neighborhoods. After the
race riots the FILA made the 500
priorities available and We decided
to build these homes ourselves"
Donald F. White. the architect, q
graduate Of the University of Mich
igan. has designed 10 models for
the project. William L. Maynard =
the builder.
Besides Diggs, other officers Of
the Wayne County Better Homes
Inc, are: Everett |. Watson. hrst
vice president: Edward A. Simmons,
second vice president and general
counsel; William B. Thompson.
secretary; Fred II. Austin, auditor
controller: James L. Singleton, real
estate manager; William l. Sheriff.
stock sales manager; Robert NJ
Walker. personnel and employment
and Louis c. Blount. DR.. ]. w. Ed
wards and Mack Ivey. directors