The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-12
Housing Surplus Disposal

Housing Surplus DlSpOSdl
The program for eventual disposal OF the
communities great surplus of war housing,
as drafted through series Of regulations by
the National Housing Agency, appears quite
sound from an early overall view.
That Wilmington will be over-housed when
the war ends is obvious Yet this outlay
of $13,988000 was imperative to meet the ex-
traordinary demands on it as the result OF
the erection of nearby military camps and
immediate industrial establishments. To have
expected the city, its population more than
doubled by the great influx Of service families
and war workers, to solve its shelter problem
without federal aid would have been looking
for the impossible War housing was just
as necessary here as barracks and mess halls
at Army and Navy posts.
The pattern for the future is commendable
from three standpoints
First, it provides salvage of the better part
OF the housing without serious threat of up
setting the equilibrium Of the local market.
Arrangements are for the Housing Authority
to acquire Hillcrest, 216-unit project for
Negroes built at cost of 1854, 900. for low.
rent housing in its continuous attack agains,
sub-standard dwellings. All familiar with the
housing situation here realize that an estima.
ted so to 70 per cent of the sub-standard tyne
is occupied by Negroes. The PIG units. plus
the 246 in Taylor homes, will go far in re-
ieving the problem that brought about es-
tablishment of the low-rent program before
the war started.
Second, sale of Lake Forest, a 1,C5y-un1t
white project developed at cost of S., 52l. 900
along in vicinity of the shores of Greenfield
Lake. to private interests is proposed in the
possibilities in the development of great resi-.
dental area. Schools, Fairgrounds and other
facilities are available and opportunities for
their Improvement after the war are excellent
1t would couple well with the industrial
development of Wilmington Housing of this
type would be as much an incentive for new
industries to locate here as favorable plant
sites and other advantages
Procedure for its sale under MIA reguIa-
lions, provides that reasonable market value
prices be first established by appraisal and
that the sales shall be made on bid basis.
They set up a priority system for buyers,
giving preference to consumers. including
defined to include mutual ownership corpora
tons made up of two-thirds of occupants or
prospective occupants No individual sales
will be made unless the units and surrounding
land is suitable
Third of greater interest to all anxious to
eradicate slums, present or potential, are the
plans for Maffitt Village Built under emery
ency conditions, it has never been considered
permanent. 1t definitely has no place IN the
future and removal of the 300 demounta BILE
units and razing of the remaining ISIS family
and 356 dormitory units is the only practical
course. Otherwise, it will become in the space
Of only few years, great slum area big
dark blot on the communty's housing picture.
In announcing it's plans, MIA empha sized
that no steps will be taken until the war need
ceases.
It is general program with many details
to be worked out later. We believe there are
several possibilities that could be pursued
with further advantages in the interest OF
good housing such as the sale of demountable
to rural residents of New Hanover and ad-
joining counties. Many farmers and tendants
are dwelling in so-called houses, within a few
miles of Wilmington whose facilities and
quality are even below sub-standard homes
IN the city. Many of them, we believe, would
welcome an opportunity to use some of their
new prosperity, gained through work in the
war effort, to better their state.
That MIA is looking to the future on its
surplus problem with practical intention OF
saving something for the betterment OF
housing in general is most heartening. Toe
many other government organizations. we
fear, will adopt a general dump it over.
board attitude toward their great stores OF
material when peace comes.
More important to us, however. is that Viii.
mlngton stands to benefit greatly and that
vase here will be held to the minimum.
Bottlenecks