Evening star., 1944-02-01
Builder Charges
Public Housing
HasFaiIed
D. c. Subcommittee
Told Of Opposition to
Postwar Program

SldI SllS IIldJ INe puDllC housing
experiment" has failed, Robert P.
Gerholz of Flint, Mich, president of
the National Association of Home
Builders, today told the Senate Dis
trict subcommittee investigating
housing that private builders in
Washington are willing and able to
provide low-rent housing for FAM
lilies of the lower income group.
Mr.. Gerholz declared the Ma
tional Home Builders Association
is opposed to any public housing in
the postwar period. He asked the
subcommittee to consider the "po-
litical and financial hazards to our
American way of life inherent in
the ownership and management of
housing by the Government"
Specifically, Mr.. Gerholz charged:
l. That public housing has failed
to demolish slum areas, but instead
has often built on vacant land, leav-
Ing blighted areas to further decay.
2. That construction and opera
ton costs have been exorbitant in
the public housing program.
3. That there is little evidence
Of public housing having aided the
lowest income group.
Recognizes Responsibility.
He called attention to testimony
before the subcommittee last Friday
that only so of the 1000 families
on Board of Public Welfare relief
rolls in the District are tenants of
low-cost public housing
Mr.. GerholZ told the subcommit-
tee that private builders here and
throughout the country recognize
that many people occupy shelter
which is unfit for human habita-
ton"
He added that builders know it
Is their responsibility to gradually
rehouse these people and that un-
deniably private enterprise has the
skill and experience to do the job
better and cheaper than any public
housing agency.
Mr.. GerholZ said, however, that
private enterprise first must be as
sured there will be no competition
by Government in the housing field
Proposes Solutions.
He proposed that the slum-clear
ance problem be approached in sew
eral different ways. One would be
through conversion of existing build
ings and strict enforcement of
safety and sanitation codes to make
habitable buildings which are struc-
turally sound.
The Government powers of con-
demnation would be necessary to
clear existing slum sites, but the
Government, after clearing these
areas, should turn them over to
private enterprise for redevelop-
ment, Mr.. GerholZ said.
Other housing for present slum
dwellers would be constructed on
vacant low-cost land in outlying
areas, Mr.. Gerholz proposed. If the
tax load were not too heavy, pri-
vate enterprise, with constantly i'm
proved building techniques, could
supply adequate housing at price
within the reach of most of the
loWer-income group, he said.
Persons in the very lowest in
come groups who could not afford
to pay even minimum rents should
receive direct assistance from local
welfare agencies, he suggested. He
added, however, that rent certih-
Gates" should be issued for the pc
riod of the need and for housing
specifically approved.
Praise D. C. Builders.
Mr.. Gerholz praised the home
builders in the District as "a we'll
organized group" and pointed out
that they have been active since
1910 in constructing war housing.
John Ihlder, executive officer of
the National Capital Housing Au-
thority, replied to Mr. Gerholz
briefly and said he would make
further answer later in the hear
ings. Mr.. Ihlder said that much
of the NCHA's low-cost housing is
not Subsidized" and contended
there would be no ultimate cost to
the taxpayer because the money
used for construction of this hous-
ing was borrowed from the Gov
eminent and used only as a re-
volving fund.
Mr.. Ihlder said that private
builders should be permitted to do
as much as they can do well and
profitably.
Chairman Burton of the subcom-
mittee pointed out to Mr.. Gerholz
and Mr.. Ihlder that the present
hearings are not for the purpose of
establishing broad postwar hous-
ing policy for the Nation. He ad-
mitted, however, that patterns es-
tablished in the District as a result
of the hearing may be followed in
other sections of the country.