Evening star., 1950-10-15
Land Agency Hopeful
OF Early Green Light
On SIum Clearance

For the first time in many
months, the Districts long
stymied Redevelopment Land
Agency is optimistic about getting
the money soon to go to work on
slum clearance here.
Optimism was expressed yes
terday by Mark Lansburgh,
agency chairman, who said I'VE
expect to submit our application
to the Housing and Home Finance
Agency almost any time now"
Mr.. Lansburgh did not say how
much money would be asked in the
application, which will have to be
approved by the Commissioners,
But he said the agency would seek
a substantial sum to cover neces-
sary surveys, employ an executive
and open an Office.
$2,250,OOO Reserved.
The housing agency announced
last May it had reserved, at the
request of the Commissioners,
81, $50, 900 under the new National
Housing Act to help finance slum
clearance in the District. The
funds are not in the form of
final commitment, since loan and
grant contracts under the act are
signed only on the basis of specific.
approved projects, 1t was ex-
planned.
Federal planners last July de-
cided to press for a $4,000 ad-
vance to conduct preliminary sur
veys in at least three areas. Iden-
titled only in general terms, these
areas would be restricted to the
southwest section, the southeast
section west Of the Anacostia
River and in an area Of about 20
blocks In the central northwest
section.
Report Expected Soon.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, which must
approve the projects, is expected
to issue about November l its COM
prehensive regional plan for the
Capital area, containing an i'm
portant section on housing and
redevelopment.
The Redev elopmen Land
Agency. since it was created by
Congress in 1916 and authorized
to spend $40 million on slum clear
ance, has had no money appro-
priated for it except for $4,000
this fiscal year. This money, Mr..
Lansburgh said, has not been
touched, as 1t isn't enough even
to provide a director.
Meanwhile, Engineer Commis-
sioner Gordon r. Young said the
Commissioners hope to call a
meeting soon at which John
Ihlder, executive director Of the
National Capital Housing Author
ity, would present his plans for
1000 units of low-rent housing
here.
10 Sites Are Listed.
NCHA has submitted a list Of
10 sites proposed for the housing.
Gen. Young said these sites must
be checked by highway. water.
sewer. traffic. school and recrea-
tional authorities to make sure
their use will present no insur-
mountable obstacles and to esti-
mate budgetary needs which might
be presented by any additional
streets or other facilities required.
Aside from that, he said, he be-
lieved the Commissioners would
go as far as the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
has in approving the proposed
sites. The planning commission
approved the sites, at least as to
the general area designated, ex-
cept for one held up for further
study.
Gen. Young said it would be the
Commissioners policy ito keep
absolutely in step" with the plan
ming commission.
The engineer commissioner said
also that as the city heads see
it, they cannot evict people for re-
development until there is some
place ready to house the evictees
decently at price they can afford.
He said the only way he could
see to do that would be through
an greement with NCHA that part
of the low-rent housing would be
earmarked and held for evictees