USHA ACTION PRODUCES LOW PRICED HOMES
USHA Action Produces Low Priced Homes Gadget Elimination Aid to Bringing Better Housing Washington, D. C.—Elimination of frills and gadgets on dwellings for low-Income families from the Nation's...
...Residents of the neighborhood adjoining the projects often participate in these activities...
...The refrigerators have no interior light or door on the ice tray compartment and are without exterior decoration or "selling point" finish...
...Cooking and dining space are combined, or dining space is provided In living rooms...
...Cement finish floors are used in dwelling units in the majority of projects because it has been demonstrated that they are durable, economical to maintain, and satisfactory from the health and comfort standpoint...
...Straus pointed out that facilities for recreation and community activities are likewise provided with a minimum of expense...
...These areas are smaller than are usually provided for dwellings for higher income groups...
...Instead of lock's, are usually used for interior doors...
...Refrigerators and kitchen ranges, which are part of the equipment for most dw-ellings, are of simplified yet serviceable types, developed by manufacturers cooperating with USHA engineers...
...Doorbells and speaking tubes are installed only in buildings where they are deemed indispensable...
...USHA Action Produces Low Priced Homes Gadget Elimination Aid to Bringing Better Housing Washington, D. C.—Elimination of frills and gadgets on dwellings for low-Income families from the Nation's slums is producing simple, economical and comfortable homes at unprecedented low costs, according to an analysis made public this week by the United States Housing Authority...
...Latches only...
...This "de-gadgeting" process is keeping low-rent public housing definitely out of the "de luxe" class, USHA Administrator Nathan Straus pointed out in citing more than a dozen material economies achieved in the field it public housing...
...Doors are not provided for kitchen shelving and storage space except where food is to be stored...
...Equipment usually is installed by the tenants under direction of local municipal recreational, educational and welfare workers...
...Other economies designed to reduce costs and bring rents within the means of low-income families removed from slum dwellings, which have been found practical in many projects constructed by local housing authorities are: Basements are rarely provided for individual dwelling units...
...Ranges have no pilot light burner ignition and only one burner for broiler and rven...
...Exterior and interior trim for decorative purposes are held to a minimum...
...These facilities usually include a meeting room, social clubroom or place for the pursuit of studies and hobbies...
...Where climate permits, separate individual heating units, operated by the tenants, are used rather than the central heating plants, except in larger apartment-type buildings...
...Porches and balconies are provided only where the climate makes them necessary for living comfort...
...Among the major departure from Sesign and equipment used by private ouilders which have radically reduced :osts, the following are common to most homes built in the USHA pro-;ram: Room areas are held to a minimum for health and comfort...
...Where playgrounds are included in projects, they are open to the entire neighborhoods...
...Lighting fixtures are simple, but effective and serviceable...
...AH hardware is of simple and durable design...
...Whenever possible, local housing authorities select sites convenient to public playgrounds or parks...
...Kitchen equipment — such as ranges, sinks and work top cabinets—are of the same height, but continuous kitchen counters are not provided...
...Fireplaces, built-in bookcases, shower baths, tiled bathroom walls and similar items are omitted...
Vol. 10 • June 1940 • No. 24
