Evening star., 1946-01-16
Veterans Preference
Housing Applications
Filed for 1,126 Units
BY ROBERT ]. LEWIS.

A big program of veterans pref
erence housing appeared likely to-
day on the basis of 1,126 priority
applications filed in this area on the
opening day. All were filed by 10
builders.
Application forms were not avail
able until yesterday, but by the close
of business, builders had filled and
returned forms seeking priorities for
837 apartment units to be built for
rent and 289 dwellings for sale.
Priority applications are filed with
the Federal Housing Administra-
TONS District Insuring Office, 1041
Fourteenth street NV.
Veterans Have First Chance.
Under the priority program, the
Government seeks to have private
industry provide between 400, 900 and
100000 dwelling units this year to
cost $4,000 or under. Veterans will
receive preference in renting or pur-
chase during construction and for
80 days afterward.
The priority program will not for
bid construction of homes costing
more than $4,000, merely undertak-
ing to channel about so per cent of
the Nations supply of scarce build
ing materials to veterans preference
homes.
Officials at the FHA inSuring Of
flee said no priorities had yet been
granted, but that priority applica-
tions would receive quick process
ing"
The bulk of applications filed yes
terday were presumed to be for con-
struction already started or sched-
uled by local speculative builders.
No application was received for pri-
ority assistance for construction by
an individual.
BY noon today, applications for
four additional units had been re-
ceived.
Price Range Near Maximum.
While no definite information was
available on the price range of
houses to be built for sale, it was
indicated that many homes would
closely approach the $4,000 maxi
mum.
Several builders indicated at the
time of filing application, it was said,
that Washington is a high-cost area
and that low-cost housing is not
possible at present.
Meanwhile, the entire priority as
sistance plan faced a congressional
inquiry as Representative Patman,
Democrat, Of Texas said: "It won't
get the job done"
The House Banking Committee,
now studying proposed bills to use
other means of solving the housing
shortage, decided to investigate the
priority assistance program set up
by the Civilian Production Admins
tration and administered by FILA.
Chairman Spence of the House
Banking Committee said he would
invite John w. Snyder, reconversion
director; John C. Collet, stabiliza-
ton director. and Wilson w. Wyatt,
Federal housing eXpediter, to appear
before the committee.
Patman Aroused.
Mr.. Patman, holding that the
present program must be strength
ened," said: "The housing situation
is becoming a national scandal"
At the same time, leaders of the
United States Conference of Mayors
and the American Municipal Asso-
citation pledged support to the pri-
ority program in conference with
Mr. Wyatt.
The Federal housing expediter
hailed the conference as laying 'the
groundwork for the sort of close CO.
operation between the Federal Gov
ernment and the communities which
is necessary in this emergency"
Under plan for participation by
local areas throughout the country,
veterans centers would be set up to
refer eX-servicemen to vacant
homes, use of temporary war hous-
ing would be pushed, and restrictive
building codes would be studied for
revision,