The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-02-11

Citing the critical need for hous- ing units for the city's Negro pop ulation for which no adequate pro visions have keen made as yet by the federal authorities, the Mayor stated in his letter that "in spite Of the fact that the Negro Housing problem is critical in this city no unit is yet available for Negro oc- cupancy."
 As reported here recently federal authorities have given considera- tion to inflicting the penalty claus es contained in the project con- Struction contracts upon the con- struction companys undertaking the jnb. The penalties are severe and are retroactive back many months now in certain instances. It has been the construction company's cc&ention that despite the fact that their work is listed as critic ap' by WLB authorities and is for the government they have been shaply curtailed in obtaining much of the required materials.
 A total of 326 applications for housing units have been filed and certified to by the local MIA office and referred to the local FPHA au- Ehorities as ready for housing occu- paucy while 206 additional applica- lions have been certified to but not ret referred for tenancy. A small minority of the total will be fitted into conversion units.
 The mayors letter follows: q am writing to you and to our rep resentatives in Congress to state the facts on our war housing problem. Surveys of housing needs have consistently shown 8 definite need for temporary pub lie housing in Waterbury. A re- cent letter of MT. DobbS, regional representative of N. H. A, admits there can be no question of the present need for projects. Your agency was established to provide prompt attention to such needs. I do not need to inform you that Waterbury is vital war production center and the ett1- ciency of our workers is affected by their living conditions.
 '"Tke results have been extreme 1y disappointing to us. Other cities in the state have received prompt attention in this matter Some have overbuilt (East Hart ford, as an example). yet here in Waterbury the need has persisted without satisfaction. Public horlS- ing has failed to satisfy the need and private housing is prevented by wartime restrictions from do- ing so.
 'Iset me state a few examples. The Long Hill expansion was re- commended in March, 1943. Bids were not opened until May. The contract was awarded about May 20 but no unit was ready for oc- cupancy until the last week Of November. Of 264 units only 60 are available and in spite of the fact that the Negro housing prob lem Is critical in this city no unit is available for Negro occupancy.
 "The Porter estate project was recommended in September 1943. Bids were opened November 1 and contract awarded November 4. Work started on November 8 and the contract called for con- pletion on or before January p. As of today, 4 buildings have foundations, walls and roofs but are not even roofed while the remaining 21 buildings are not being worked on at the present time.
 Our relations with federal housing authorities have not been pleasant in the past. We had hoped hat the situation had changed but our present exper-
 fences do not seem calculated to inspire confidence. Our War Housing committee made a form al protest on January 20, 1914. to the regional director but no reply was received until February 2.
 May ask that you give this problem your immediate atten- tion so that the housing demands of Waterbury workers can be promptly and adequately metSs'