Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-09-23
Low-Cost HOUSING
Continued From First PageD

dCtment OF tnlS law, out not neceS-
sarily thereafter, it is specified that
such housing shall be rented at not
more than $l3 per room per month,
excluding utilities"
Public low-rent housing" is de-
fined to mean low-rent housing
constructed by public agency for
families of low income, at rentals
including heat, light, water and
cooking material which shall not
exceed one-fifth of the highest net
family income of families eligible
for tenancy in such housing -"
This section also specifies that
such public low-rent housing shall
be available solely for families whose
net family income does not exceed
the maximum income falling within
the lowest 20 per cent by number of
all family incomes in the District
The District Commissioners would
be charged with the responsibility OF
determining, from time to time, after
public hearings, the range of Dis
trict family incomes and the lowest
fifth eligible for low-rent housing
under this formula.
Would Use Census.
Presumably, the Commissioners
would draw on Government census
and income statistics, among other
data and testimony, in arriving at
their conclusions on eligible classes
Another new provision is a speci-
flc requirement that families who
are displaced from alley, slum or
"blighted area housing due to re-
development projects must be given
preference among prospective ten
ants of resulting new housing. One
of the complaints leveled at the
NCHA by private builders has been
that it has not graduated" from
its low-rent housing projects fami-
lies whose incomes had increased
to totals above what once had made
them eligible.
Somewhat in line with earlier
bills, but with added features, the
new bill provides that an overall
plan for the District be developed
by the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, which also
would propose projected areas. The
district Commissioners would ap-
prove, reject or modify areas to be
selected for projects after public
hearings.
The planning body then would
draw detailed plans for each adopted
project area and in the case of low
rent work would propose ceilings on
rent and sale prices. this also to be
subject to approval by the Commits
sioners after public hearings. When
finally approved, project would be
certified to the new land agency
which would acquire the area and
advertise or negotiate for its sale
and development by a private or
public redevelopment corporation,
individual or partnership. Operators
would be bound by the project area
plans
Public Hearing Provided.
The land agency could call for
bids or negotiate privately for a
project-taker, but a deal could not
be closed except after a Today no.
tice of a public hearing, at which all
details of terms would be made pub
lie. There would be a 3O-day period
during which other bidders could
submit offers.
Land acquired by the new agency
would not be tax exempt and no
property developed under the prof.
ect areas plans would be exempt ex-
cept that which would become ell
gible under present laws affecting
public housing.
The 100000 900 appropriation au-
thorized would be trust fund, on
which the Commissioners could
draw as they approved estimates
from the land agency. following
project plan approval.
At the end Of 10 years there
would be an accounting and If, as
expected, receipts of the land
agency did not cover disbursements,
half of the deficit would be ac-
cepted by the Federal Government.
The District would be required to
pay back the other half of the cost
IN equal installments over 10 years
Some loss Is expected since 'use
value" appraisal of properties ac-
quired by the land agency would be
used in fixing the price at which
1t would be sold to a DEVELOPMENT
corporation. For instance, where
commercial properties were includ-
ed in q project area acquired there
would be a price "write-down" as
it was sold to the developer Of Low