Evening star., 1943-10-05
Housing Lacks
Funds,
.|h|der Asserts
Authority Chief
Outlines Plan for
SIum Clearance

1ilC 4NdllOlldl I'd tJlJdl f1OuSlIlS AL
thority has been forced to let some
OF its housing properties deteriorate
because of the failure of Congress
to appropriate sufficient money for
their maintenance. John Ihlder, ex-
ecutive officer of the authority. told
Senate District subcommittee at
a hearing today.
Mr. 1hlder's testimony came as he
outlined the work of the NCHA and
his proposal for s100 100000 slum
replacement program at the first
hearing held by the subcommittee
The committee, headed by Senator
Burton, Republican, of Ohio is con-
ducting an investigation of the
NCHAs past and proposed housing
program, with the intention Of
recommending plan to meet the
Districts postwar housing needs.
The investigation was requested by
Mr.. Ihlder.
The subcommittee plans. as part
OF the investigation. to make a de-
tailed inspection of all NCHA hous-
ing properties. particularly those
built for slum reclamation under
Title l of the Lanham Act.
SlOO 100000 Program.
1t also will study records of the
authority and will discuss specific
proposals for slum reclama ton
made by Mr.. Ihlder.
Mr.. Ihlder told the subcommit-
tnn =
s10o000.000 spent over a period OF
20 or 25 Years TO rid the District
completely of its slIms. He said
the work should be done gradually,
with approria tions Of $4,000 900 each
year for 90 years or appropriations
Of $4,000 900 annually for the next
two years and s5,O0O00O a year
thereafter
He estimated that there are 10000
substandard dwellings in the Dis
trlct and added that some new
sllms probably will be created after
the war
In estimating the amount Of the
congressional appropriation required
to eliminate Slums, Mr.. Ihlder said
he was counting on private enter
prise to do more than IT has ever
done before
In answer TO question from Sem
atOr Burton. he expressed the belief
that there is need for much of the
slum reclamation work to be done
by public agency with public funds.
He said that slums had existed in
. Washington since 1870. and that
their growth was checked only when
| public housing began TO be con-
structed
Mr.. lhlder maintained that A pub
lie housing agency can break even"
financially. conducting slum rec
lamatlon work If II does a gradual.
careful job in live city"
/ Impressed by Work.
Senator Burton said ne was i'm
! pressed with the extent TO which
the NCHA has been able to handle
a large amount of slum reclamation
work with the small sum of money
given it under Title / of the Lam
/ ham Act,
/ He pointed out that five residen-
tial and five commercial properties
| had beer developed BY the NCHA
! with funds appropriated under' this
/ title. In addition. four other prop
critics were acquired, which have
either been sold or remained unde-
! veloped
/ Mr.. Ihlder informed the subcom-
mittee that maintenance of these
] properties is inadequate because the
NCHA is now receiving only $4,000
a year for this purpose He said
I that, in addition to increased money
Tor maintenance of these projects.
the NCHA should have instructions
from Congress to handle the upkeep
under centralized control AT pres
/ ent each maintenance lob on the 10
or more title I properties is being
handled separately, in accordance
with the previously expressed wishes
/ Of Congress. Mr.. Ihlder said.