The Housing Act of 1949 and Health Department Programs

Abstract

The Housing Act of 1949, approved by the President July 15, has important implications for the public health profession in the provisions for slum clearance and urban redevelopment, farm housing, low-rent housing, and research (1).As the President has said, "This far-reaching measure is of great significance to the welfare of the American people."The declaration of national housing policy in the act reads, "The Congress hereby declares that the general welfare and security of the Nation and the lhealth and lving standards of its people require housing production and related community development sufficient to remedy the serious housing shortage, the elimination of substdndard and other inadequate housing through the clearance of slums and blig,hted areas, and the realization as soon as feasible of the goal of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family, thus contributing to the development and redevelopment of communities and to the advancement of the growth, wealth, and security of the Nation."In the attainment of these objectives, the act states primary reliance shall be placed on and maximum assistance given to private enterprise, but Federal assistance is to be extended to meet those needs which cannot be met by private enterprise.This requires the cooperative effort of local public bodies, private enterprise, and the Federal Government.There are six titles in the act.Title I-Slum Clearance and Community Development and

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