Housing In ■ The
The following is an extract from a report published in 1948 by a Joint Congressional Committee, of which Mr. Ralph A. Gamble of New York was the Chairman. The report contains invaluable information concerning problems in connection with modern housing shortages, and the facts presented and the conclusions arrived at are AS important to us in Hong Kong as to the people of America. The report was made available to us through the courtesy of the United State Consulate in Hong Kong.
The Three Vital Elements In Housing
The Joint Committee on Housing was created at a time when there was a desperate shortage in housing.
This shortage, it quickly learned, was largely concentrated in the large urban centres of population, in local-
married ities where
ex-servicemen were going to school under the GI bill of rights. and in places where postwar industry had expanded.
The problem presented to us under the authorising resolution was not only to ascertain the causes of the emergency and to recommend ways in which to meet it. but also to explore all phases in order to make such re- commendations as we believe would be helpful to Congress in developing a national housing policy.
It was not necessary for us to obtain ligures on the extent of the shortage; this shortage was, indeed, so apparent that it, itself, was one of the principal reasons for our being. It was impera- tive, consequently, that we first attack the most acute aspects of the problem.
To build houses requires materials and labour. To obtain materials and labour requires financing. To obtain financing, it is necessary that wealth be produced and that a portion be saved in the form of capital. There- fore, it was necessary for our inquiry to deal, not merely with figures and estimates but with the supply. avail- ability, and cost of these three vital elements materials, men, and money. Housing Goal for the Next 2 Years
Estimates of the housing shortage based on the present fact-finding facilities of the Government are either absurdly low or fantastically high. Based on our first-hand knowledge that an acute housing shortage exists in the large cities. in the educational centres, and in places where postwar industry has expanded, our goal should be a million and a half newly con- structed от reconstructed dwelling units yearly for the next two years, provided our labour and industrial pro- ductivity is sufficient. and provided such a programme is compatible with a sound credit policy.
The U. S. A.
Need For More Complete Information
Specific authorization and direction, together with sufficient appropriations. should be given to the Housing and Home Finance Agency; the Bureau of the Census and the Office of Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce; and the Bureau of Labour Statistics. Department of Labour, in order that facts can be periodically gathered rela- tive to housing, and the materials, men. money, and management involved.
The Bureau of the Census should be authorized and directed to report fully on all phases of housing statistics at the next census in 1950 and decen- nially thereafter. In addition, the Bureau of the Census should also be authorized and directed to make from time to time such housing surveys and reports as may be deemed necessary and urgent by the President, by Mem- bers of either House of Congress. by the Secretary of Commerce, or by the Secretary of Labour.
The Office of Domestic Commerce. Department of Commerce. should ipitiate and carry through to comple- tion in the fiscal year 1948. if possible, and in any event in the fiscal year 1949, specific projects on building re- gulations, the production of building materials and distribution methods, as follows:
1. Building regulations: Complete research in connection with the development of a uniform plumb- ing and heating code, and pro- mote the adoption of accepted engineering standards as a step in the direction of national uni-
formity.
2. Development of accurate factors for material usage which would reveal the impact of a housing programme of any magnitude on the building material industry, and the capacity of the various industries to meet the require- ments of building programmes of various magnitudes.
3. Cost-reduction study to develop: Improve method for the distri- bution of building materials and equipment, and plan efficient models of industrial organizations for projects of varying sizes.
In order that adequate current in- formation regarding progress in sup- plying new housing may be provided, the Bureau of Labour Statistics of the Department of Labour should be directed and authorized, and provided with funds to report each month the number of new nonfarm dwelling units
-
50
chief
started and
the completed; characteristics of the new housing units provided, including average costs, types and prices and other significant features; the amounts and types of labour employed in construction; dis- appearance of units through demoli tion, fire, flood, etc. and other essential facts regarding housing construction needed by the Government, and the construction industry.
Building Materials (General)
Our export-import policies have had a disruptive effect on the entire domes- tic building materials situation, both as to available stocks and as to price ranges. Exports in aid to Europe combine with foreign private purchases so that in results. they operate as one. There is need for complete overhaul and readjustment of our Government export-import policies, more in the light of our national security and domestic needs, rather than the state of internal affairs in Europe.
There is urgent need for a review of all of Government procurement policies and practices, military and civil, in the field of building materials used in dwelling construction. Possible ad- justments would save considerable money for the United States Treasury and building materials prices would be freed from the present inflationary in- Auences.
The lack of adequate facts on basic building materials at a time when they can be used in the public interest is a fundamental difficulty which must be overcome before any permanent pro- gress can be made in the control of inflation in the construction industry. These facts should reach back into the the corporate entities themselves, particularly those engaged in the pro- duction of basic materials.
Labour
Both labour and industry are willing to cooperate in the prevention of labour disputes. The National Asso- ciation of Home Builders and the building trades department. American Federation of Labour, have told the committee that they are willing to set up local committees for the discussion of complaints before they reach the stage of disputes. Other construction industries should do likewise.
Labour and industry, during the life of this committee, have made tremen- dous strides in the battle against in- flation and in the prevention of work stoppage. The wage stabilization agreement, reached in New York City should be quickly emulated elsewhere. From prevention of work stoppage
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