Box 9, Folder 2, Document 59

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THE ATLANTA URBAN LEAGUE, INC.

An Educational Community Service Agency Covering Over 48 Years of Preventive Social Service





521-2355 *° 239 AUBURN AVENUE, N.E. * ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303

NATIONAL URBAN
LEAGUE AFFILIATE

September &, 1969

Honorable George Romney
Secretary of Housing and
Urban Developsent

451 Seventh Street, S. W.
Washington, DP. C. 20410

Dear Mr. Secretary:

It has come to the attention of The Atlanta Urban League that the
Federal Housing Adninistration is anticipating rehabilitation and sale
of approximately 1,000 units of foreclosed Section 608 war housing in
DeKalb County, Georgia. Reportedly, the disposition of the Oglethorpe
Group Apartments is delayed, at the moment, by a suit against foreclosure
brought by the previous owners of the project; however, it appears that
the Federal Housing Administration has proceeded with plans for rehabili-
tation and disposition.

We are concerned that there are strong political and economic
pressures attempting to prevent additional ownership by minority citizens
in this part of the Atlanta Metropolitan area. We feel that an investi-
gation into the racial implications and prejudices inherent in a comercial,
profit motivated disposition is warranted. This project could be con-
sidered a regional, and certainly a local, resource in its application to-
wards fulfilling the housing needs of poor and minority citizens.

The sale of the above-mentioned project for a profitable return to
FHA is abhorrent to us and we strongly recommend your consideration of
alternate proposals.

The progres outlined by Interfaith, Inc., a local nonprofit church
sponsored housing development corporation, deserves your firm support.
Such a proposal would maximize ownership and participation in rehabilitation
by minority citizens and would provide a wide range of income distribution
within the project itself.


« 2»

Your consideration of the project and assistance in overcoming
prejudice and inertia te this concept will have far reaching effects on
the need for housing and assurance of positive Federal consideration to-
ward eliminating the institutional vestiges of racism which have, for se
long, dominated our region and this nation.

Sincerely,

Lyndon A. Wade, ACSW
Executive Director

LAW: cah

ce: Honorable Samuel Jackson
Honorable Samuel Simmons
Honorable Ivan Allan, Jr.
Mr. Carey Hooks
Mr. Bruce G, Gruber




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