Hon. A. WILLIS ROBERTSON, CITIZEN'S ACTION COUNCIL Chairman, Committee on Banking and Currency of the Senate, DEAR SENATOR ROBERTSON: Acting in behalf of the Citizens' Action Council, which is Stamford's citizen participation organization under the program for community improvement of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, I wish to register our support and endorsement of the urban renewal provisions of the housing and community development bill of 1964-S. 2468. Based upon our analysis of the extensions and changes contained in this bill, we believe that present inequities and difficulties would be corrected. Specifically, we endorse the following provisions: (1) Displacement payments to small businesses. While modest, the $1,000 payment could constitute the difference between success and failure during the critical first months following relocation. The $1,500 payment to firms not reestablishing within 1 year properly recognizes the partial obligation which the community should bear in such instances. (2) Monthly rent supplement payments to displaced low- and moderate-income families and elderly individuals. The payment base the difference between average rents and 20 percent of gross income-appears adequately safeguarded by the requirements that such incomes must be within the limits set for section 221(d) (3) eligibility. (3) Federal insurance and purchase of low-interest loans, with deferred principal amortization, for rehabilitation by elderly owner-occupants of one- and two-family homes. The provision permitting refinancing of up to $10,000 under section 220, restricted to renewal areas, may constitute the kind of practical help needed to transpose rehabilitation from a concept to a reality. (4) $1.4 billion additional for urban renewal for the next 2 years. Based as it is on the actual rate of capital grant authorizations during the previous period, this request must be considered as the minimum needed. (5) Payment of up to $120 per unit per year to local public housing authorities to relocate those with extremely low incomes. This provision is properly limited to those cases in which such subsidies would be truly needed. (6) Low-income single persons displaced by renewal to be eligible for public housing. It is both unreasonable and unfair to deny displaced single persons, who would otherwise qualify, access to public housing. The Citizens' Action Council urges your support of this vital legislation. Sincerely yours, FRED T. ALLEN, Chairman. O |