The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1951-11-12
Lake Charles
Plan Discussed
BY Rent Board

Mr.. Carlton F. Smith, Rent Ad
visory Board chairman for Mon
roe County, returned to Key West
Wednesday from two-day rent
clinic held in Charleston, South
Carolina, where Rent Advisory
Board members and rent Stabil-
ization officials from Florida,
Georgia, North and South Carolina,
met with military post officials
and Washington Rent Officials TO
discuss provisions of the new and
strengthened rent control law
Mr.. Smith said that Tighe E.
Woods, director of rent stabliza-
ton, praised the work of advisory
boards, which serve voluntarily
throughout the United States, act
ing somewhat as juries in hearing
both landlords and tenants on con-
troversial issues.
eve who are trying to stabilize
rents, particularly in overcr0wded
military and defense areas couldn't
do our job without the wonderful
assistance of the Rent Advisory
Board members" Smith quoted
Mr. Woods as saying.
Mr., Woods called us his Jury
and Board of Directors, said
Smith, "and stated that many of
the provisions in the new rent act
resulted from our recommends
tons.
The training session also clari-
fled the designation Of critical de-
Tense areas, which are now being
certified in various sections of the
country. Rent Control over all
types Of housing in such areas be-
comes automatic after credit con-
trolls are relaxed to encourage
housing construction An area be-
comes a critical Defense Housing
area when local petitions eStab-
liSh that ~ a defense plant or
military installation is being estab-
lished or expanded ~ that sub
stantial influx of people is needed;
(3) shortage of housing impedes
or threatens to impede the indus
trial or military expansion. On
establishment of these points, joint
action of the Secretary of Defense
and the Director Of Defense Mobi-
lization results in certification as
critical Housing Area.
Military officials attended the
session to learn Of rent control
provisions applicable to areas
around military camps. They also
discussed the Lake Charles plan
a Community action program deve-
loped by ORS and the Department
of Defense at Lake Charles, La,
to produce housing by conversion
and rehabilitation Of existing
structures.
The rent conference also brought
out that monetary damages can
be claimed against landlord for
illegal evictions. Local rent direc-
tors and their Advisory Board
members are encouraged by the
National Office to settle these
problems at their own level, and
their decisions receive Mr. Woods
fun support. under the strong evic-
tion-control clause in the new act.
Rent officials pointed out that
the local-option decontroI provision
of the law has been amended so
that local governing bodies may
now vote to reestablish federal
rent control in their areas. Previ-
ously they could only decontrol.
Woods, in discussing the 20qo in.
crease provision Incorporated in
the new law, pointed out that land.
lords are required TO maintain ser
vices In order to qualify for the
increase. II the required services
are not being provided, the tenant
may obtain a reduction in rent.
The Charleston conference was
the tenth of a series scheduled dur
ihg October and November in cit.
les throughout the United States
and IN Alaska and Puerto Rico.
Members Of the local Advisory
Board are Carlton F. Smith, Bern
ard Frank, J. P. Baillord. James
r. Porter and Mrs. Aloysia Van
GoidtSnoven
The Monroe County Rent Advi-
sorry Board meets semi.monthly 10
hear landlord and tenants com
plants.
Any person with rent com.
plant may appeal to the Monroe
County Board by calling $50 or in
person at the Area Rent Office.
ZIG Federal Building in Key West