Box 18, Folder 11, Document 21

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CITy OF ATLANTA

CITY HALL ATLANTA, GA.30303

Tel. 522-4463 Area Code 404

June 7, 1967
IVAN ALLEN, JR., MAYOR

R. EARL LANDERS, Administrative Assistant
MRS. ANN M. MOSES, Executive Secretary
DAN E. SWEAT, JR., Director of Governmental Liaison

The Honorable John J. Sparkman
The Honorable Wright Patman
The Honorable William A. Barrett

Gentlemen:

This letter is to call to your attention my serious concern with a problem
facing the enforcement of housing codes in Atlanta and I am certain to

all the nation's cities.

In accordance with the emphasis placed on housing code enforcement
sought by Secretary Weaver and our own desires, we have moved ahead
vigorously with the housing code provisions in Atlanta, As you know, in
those areas where an urban renewal project or a code enforcement con-
centration area exists, home owners in need may qualify for grants and
low interest loans,

However, there are many areas of Atlanta where we seek to prevent
further deterioration by code enforcement that are as yet not covered

by either of the above programs. Home owners in these areas are with-
out recourse and are in the unhappy situation of having their homes
condemned unless they can produce the necessary funds.

It seems to me that these persons are entitled to relief. In effect they
are in an area covered by U. S. Government action since the required
workable program covers the entire city. They should not be unduly
penalized. To continue to do so creates an unfair situation which will
undermine the entire effort of cities to enforce their codes.

I, therefore, suggest that action be taken'to alleviate this situation. We
suggest two possible courses,

1. As a minimum approach the F.H.A. should ease up on their
requirements under 203K and make loans under this program easily
available for financially deprived persons who are subjected to code
enforcement expenditures.

2. Much more could be accomplished if the benefits of the $1500
grants and the 3% loan were extended to all persons without resources who








June 7, 1967

- Page 2 - The Honorable John J. Sparkman

The Honorable Wright Patman
The Honorable William A. Barrett

are faced with rehabilitation requirements under code enforcement. As
stated above the Workable Program is, in effect, a Federal requirement
for the entire city. It seems possible that the law allowing grants and
loans could be extended to cover all citizens under a workable program.

I would appreciate your giving this problem your most earnest consider -
ation.

Sincerely,

Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor

cc: The Honorable Richard J. Daley, Mayor

Chicago, Illinois

The Honorable Jerome P, Cavanaugh, Mayor
Detroit, Michigan

The Honorable John V. Lindsay, Mayor
New York, New York

The Honorable John B. Collins, Mayor
Boston, Massachusetts

Mr. John Gunther, Executive Director
U. S. Conference of Mayors

Mr. Patrick Healey, Executive Director
National League of Cities




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