Evening star., 1948-11-09
.Fani|yEvictions
Called Problem
For Congress
40 Must Be Moved
From Homes on Site
For Senate Building
By Harold B. Rogers

Congress should tackle the
problem of rehousing 40 families
to be evicted this winter and next
spring from low-rent quarters
on the site of the new Senate
Once Building, in the opinion of
leading housing experts here.
The Washington Housing Associa.
ton has recommended that Con-
gress appropriate funds for the Ma.
tional Capital Housing Authority to
build low-rent homes.
John Ihlder, executive officer Of
the NCHA today said he agrees
with this proposal.
It's up to Congress" he empha-
sized, because Congress is evicting
these people"
Long NCHA Waiting List.
Shortage of shelter in Washing
ton, Mr.. Ihlder said, will create a
serious predicament for those who
will be evicted There are $4,000
families on the waiting list for
S,1o0 dwelling units under control
OF NCHA, Mr.. Ihlder said. Those
evicted by the Government have
priority. But there are no vacan-
cles now, he said.
Col. Waldron E. Leonard, director
OF the District Veterans Housing
Center, which lists available DWELL
ings. said he could see no immediate
solution to the problem. It def
nitely is the responsibility of some
Federal agency, he emphasized.
Home owners and renters in the
area, it was learned today, have be-
gun to worry as cold weather ap-
proaches and the Government
pushes forward its program to pur-
chase or condemn their homes.
Still In Dark.
These people, The Star found in
a spot check, are having no luckN in
finding rooms, apartments or homes
they can afford to buy. They don't
know how soon the Government will
take over their present homes. And
the owners don't know how much
the Government will pay for the
property and consequently how
much money they will have to buy
new places.
The area, facing First street, op-
posite the present Senate Once
Building, between B and C streets
NE, is being acquired by condem-
nation through q suit in District
Court. AS soon as tisle passes to the
Government people will be evicted
and the buildings razed. Destruc-
tion Is expected to begin In the
spring.
There are more than SO families
in the area and many single per-
sons, Forty families are within the
low-income range and can afford
only the lowest rents. Many Of
these live in Schott's alley, a notori-
Gus slum area, within sight Of the
present Senate Once Building.
Facing the three street frontages
are old residences, several of them
fine old structures, occupied for the
most part by renters. Many Gov
ernment employees live there.
Survey Presented Lynn.
A comprehensive survey of the
entire half block to be acquired,
running eastward to the alley, was
made by the Washington Housing
Association, disclosing the dire need
for low rentals to house those
evicted.
Results Of the survey were pre-
sented recently to David Lynn,
architect of the Capitol, who is in
charge Of the new office building
project.
Forty Of the renting families
found in the area would be de-
prived OF low-rent housing by action
OF the Federal Government, Mr..
Lynn was informed by Sydney Mas
len, association vice president.
I'VE believe" he wrote to Mr..
Lynn, that the Government should
assume responsibility for their re-
housing. One precedent is that
families displaced for the Navy
Yard during the war were rehoused
through funds provided to the Ma
tional Capital Housing Authority"
Late for Needs.
Mr.. Ihlder agreed with this,
pointing out, however, that con-
gressional appropriations now would
be too late to meet the immediate
needs of the persons to be ousted
by spring.
Mr.. Lynn said he had been in
formed by an official of NCHA that
Ia study of the area and the people
to be dispossessed would be made by
the Tenant and Community Rela.
tions section of NCHA.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Ihlder said, his
Office will be glad to receive appli-
cations from those to be evicted for
whatever vacancies occur in the
NCHA homes here.
Such applications, he explained.
may be filed at his Office, 1887 l.
street NV. They will be consid-
cred. along with the priority they
have because the applicants are be-
ing evicted by the government.
Mr. Lynn expects to begin nego-
tiations with property owners as
soon as he receives a report from
the Justice Department prepared by
three appraisers on the estimated
value OF each parcel. This report
is aynacted 1afa tI,;s r,aaL 49, ,oavt