Evening star., 1944-01-31
IhIder Defends
Public Housinq
As Essential
NCHA Chief AssoiIs
Plans Of 'SpecioI
Interest Groups

1oiiuais puollc housing as
essential" John Ihlder, executive
ofncer of the National Capital
Housing Authority, today attacked
the proposals of Special interest
groups" to substitute private sub
siolzeo housing" for the NCHAs
slum reclamation program.
subsidized private housing would
increase greatly the cost of SLIM
reclamation to the taxpayer and
would help to perpetuate slums
Mr.. 1hlder charged before a Senate
District subcommittee investigating
housing.
In addition. he said the effect NJ
the private program would be "de-
morallzing' both to the builders
ana their low-income tenants.
Mr.. Ihlder was referring to a
slum reclamation program sug-
gested by Waverly Taylor and other
members of the Washington Home
Builders Association. Under Mr..
Taylor's plan, the Government
would condemn existing slums in
the District, clear away the old
buildings and then sell the land to
private builders for redevelopment.
Would Limit Rents.
The builders, in exchange for re-
ceiving the land at a low price.
would agree to. construct low-cost
housing and rent it for amounts
which would yield only a fixed
small profit.
tenants whose incomes would be
insufficient to pay the rentals, under
Mr.. Taylor's plan would be given
direct relief aid, perhaps in the
form OF rent certificates, by welfare
agencies.
Mr.. Ihlder maintained this pro-
gram would increase the cost to
taxpayers by requiring the Govern
ment to take all losses incurred in
clearing slums and preparing sites,
while giving private developers all
the profits. Under the NCHA slum
reclamation program, the Govern
ment participates in the values it
creates, he said.
Mr.. 1hlder also charged that the
private builders proposal would
greatly expand relief rolls, and by
giving each relief family a rent all
lowance would, in effect, subsidizs
all landlords of low-income families.
Sees Decentralization"
Builders and owners would be
"demoralized" because they would
lose incentive if the Government
assured them against loss, Mr.. Ihl-
der maintained. Tenants would be
placed on the "old and discredited
dole system if the private builders
plan was adopted, he added.
The mere possibility of rent GER
tlf1cates' has caused dismay to those
who thought We had made some
progress in our social thinking" he
asserted.
Mr.. Ihlder said the private build
ers' arguments are based on claim.
that they can build at a lower cost
than a public housing agency and
that the properties can be operated
at less expense by private owners.
Points to Record.
In answer to these claims. Mr..
Ihlder pointed out that the private
builders, in proposing to handle
the redevelopment of slum areas,
are promising to do something
they never have done in the past.
He reviewed the history of the
Districts slums, pointing out that
at the time the NCHA began its
work, after 10 years of depend
ence on private builders. new slums
were developing in outlying sections
OF the District.
Mr.. Ihlder also discounted state.
mentS by private builders that they
have new methods and materials
which would reduce costs of con-
struction. Any such new methods
will be equally available to the
NCHA, which employs private con-
tractors to do the actual construc-
ton, he said.
In addition, Mr.. Ihlder pointed
out, while public housing costs are
MADE public. he has not been able
TO learn the costs of private build
ers. He invited the private groups
to make their records public for
comparison. The only thing def
nltely known about private housing
Is that rents charged are higher
than those charged by the NCHA,
Mr.. Ihlder continued.
Admits Errors.
He defended the NCHA from the
attacks made against it here re-
Gently. The agency, being only 10
years old and subject to human
limitations, has made its mistakes,
he admitted. He added, however,
the agency has learned from its
mistakes and in spite of them has
rendered an essential service to this
city that private builders and own
ers did not render during 14O years.
Mr.. 1hlder maintained that pub
lie housing, as exemplifed in the
work of the NCHA, is essential in
meeting the needs for proper hous-
ing OF low-income persons and
families
Aids Private Firms.
The work of the NCHA aids pri-
vate enterprise by relieving it of a
responsibility that has brought dis
credit upon it. leaving it free to
serve those who can pay for its
services, Mr.. Ihlder maintained.
Mr.. Ihlder told the subcommittee
that the housing authority al
ways has welcomed every contribu-
ton that private housing makes"
Public housing should supple
ment private and therefore the
more that private does in produc-
ing good housing at lower rental
the less public will have to do" Mr..
Ihlder said.
James c. Ring, administrative
officer of the NCHA, also a witness
at today's hearings, outlined the
history of slums in Washington and
efforts the NCHA has made to re-
claim slum areas. The hearings
will be resumed at 10 am. tomor-
row
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