The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-02-27

Property owners who want to re.
pair and convert their houses to
accommodate war workers and their
families can obtain the advice OF
architects and technieians, without
cost, or obligation, at the local War
Housing Center once serving the
area where the property is located.
John M. DobbS, regional represen.
tative Of the National Housing
Agency, stated today.
Home owners with unused space
which can be converted into suita.
bic living quarters for war workers
should apply to the War Housing
Center manager for assistance
within the next 30 days, said Mr.
DobbS. Through the National
Housing Agency the War Housing
Centers viii supply technicians, ad-
vice on the possibilities Of CONVEX
sion and estimate the cost. The
War Housing Center managers also
win advise the property owner on
obtaining a remodeling loan, II
needed. This service will be given
without charge, providing at least
one new living unit Is created for
war workers.
This conversion program should
not be confused with the National
Housing Agency's program for pub
lie conversions under the provisions
Of which the property owner leaseE
his property TO the government for
seven years or two years after the
emergency. whichever Is the longer,
and the property Is converted, man
aged and maintained by the gov.
eminent during the lease period
In the program announced today
the owner Of the property retains
full management and control, the
only stipulation being that the ad.
ditional units created through the
conversion must be used for housing
war workers.
Loans up to 5000, repayable over
q period OF seven years are allowed
for this purpose also such CONVEX
sions are granted q high priority
rating Of AA3 In order to obtair
materials for this much needed
work.
There are three major reasons
for property owners to cooperate n
this effort" said Mr.. Dobbs. "TheS
will thus become active participants
In the nations battle against the
Axis and help to step-up production
In practical and effective way
they will derive additional income
from their properties, and they viii
improve the underlying value o.
those properties. For example, 9
ten-room house now occupied b.
two or three persons could be con-
verted into two apartments entirely
satisfactory for war workers ant
probably bring the owner sufficien
income to pay not only his taxeI
and interest but permit the family
to reduce the principal II the hous'
Is now mortgaged. II additional In
come, over and above the loan pay
ments Is derived, the patriotic owne
can buy himself some War Bonds.
Mr.. Dobhs pointed out that Their
were many advantages in utilizing
existing houses because they al
ready are adequately supplied Will
utilities, paved streets, schools sr1t
provision for recreation. "Conver
sion and modernization Of existing
properties will also ease the strain
ON the material Market" said Mr.
Dobbs. Usually, less material Il
the critical brackets Is necessary Il
provide accommodations through
conversion than through new con
struction."
frequently conversions Of tht
kind can be made with little or NJ
exterior alterations. A few ex'
terror changes, however, will otter
give the property o completely mod
crn appearance. In deciding on how
much to spend the owner should
take into consideration the condi'
ton Of the building, Its location anc
the rentals which the apartments
will bring.
Owners Of private homes or apart
mcnt houses with vacant units, o.
vacant space that can be remodeled
into acceptable housing units. shoulc