Evening star., 1947-07-09

discussed in accompanying article.
This article, by the president OF tho
Washtnaton Housing association Is con-
denssd by 1,ermisston ind reprinted here as
an interssting case history bearing on
compiled problem.
A graphic picture of the need Of thousands
OF veterans for houses to rent ut $40 to $50
month in or nsar Warrington WAS presented
to small group Of citizens, builders and real
tors at dinner meeting in the autumn Of 1916.
It was admitted by all present that there were
houses for sale to veterans In the Washing
ton area, but at prices which the average
veteran couldn't or shouldn't pay-prices rang
ing from $4,000 to $4,000 for houses which
before the war would have brought half that
amount.
The speaker at the dinner meeting was
representative of the American Legion. The
buiIders' response to his appeal for rental
housing for veterans was not heartening. 50,
following the meeting five of the citizens took
I'D the challenge. The group included an
architect, q versatile lawyer, q city planner
and . building materials manufacturer. On
the advice of an experienced development ex-
pert 1t was decided that a low-rent project
should have:
Ia minimum Of 800 housing units, to
warrant the cost Of adequate management.
2. Group housing, rather than apartments,
rs more suitable for families.
7. A suburban location to keep land cost at
. minimum.
4. Precut frame houses for early compile
hon-delivery immediate.
s. As many three bedroom units as possible.
for the larger families.
A project with most of the above charac-
terists was visited, near Richmond, Va. where
1913 precut two-story, semidetached two-bed-
room houses had been completed in 1s46 at an
average overall unit cost Of $1,000, renting
for $50 = month.
Aimed At S5e Rental.
1t was decided to increase the room sizes;
have varying groups of l to units; hoid te
average overall cost to $5,0 900 and the average
rents to $50 q month, not including water,
gas, electricity or heat.
The group was advised that the land cost
plus the typographical. architectural and legal
work would run to about S per cent of the
Federal Housing Authority valuation. With
thai. amount of money in hand tin this case
s75 ,e00) they were told that the $500, 600
project of 800 units could be given to a respon"
sflble builder and financed from there ON by an
FaA-guaranteed loan.
A tract of 81 acres was agreed on apout
miles south Of Washington. 1t fronted on
main highway, with water main, an electric
line and q promised gas main down the high
vay. There was trunk sewer 1000 feet from
the highway and parallel to it. The land was
zoned for detached dwellings. Multiple dwell
ings needed for \ rental project, would call
for reaoning. T.
A o0-day option was secured from the owner
OF the land and zoning petition was nled st
the county seat The project was submitted
to the County Planning Board. survey OF
the tract was secured and preliminary plot
plan was prepared showing street layout and
locating 800 housing units thereon. An enei-
neering frm was asked to estimate the site
development -excavating and grading.
roadway, curb and gutter. sidewalks, storm
water drainage and sanitary sewers. build
ins contractor was asked to estimate the con-
struction costs and data were secured on
utilities connections, ETC.
Ten to Two Favored 1t.
The application for rezoning and a complete
description of the project were hled at the
courthouse and hearing was scheduled The
plot plan photographs Of similar projects and
blueprint plans of the houses were shown to
each. and each was asked il he would sign a
petition supporting the project. One land
owner said he preferred not to sign but would
not oppose One other said he would oppose