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Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - IV. Economics - 15. The Negro in the Public Economy - 6. Public Housing Policies - 7. Social Security and Public Assistance
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Chapter 15. The Negro in the Public Economy 353
ineligible because they are unable to pay the rents, which in 1941 averaged
$18 per month, including utilities. The average income of the families in
the projects was $832.®^ Several projects, particularly those occupied by
Negroes, showed much lower rent and income levels. Even so, however, it
certainly is true that the U.S.H.A. helps an economic group somewhat
above those most in need of assistance. This, of course, is particularly unfor-
tunate in the case of Negroes. To meet this problem a much closer Integra-
tion between the work of the housing authorities and that of other welfare
agencies is needed.
There Is one group of economically disadvantaged families to which too
little consideration has been given: the large families, partly because they
are poorer and cannot pay the rents, and partly because very large dwell-
ings are not provided in public housing projects. The average family size
in public housing projects in 1941 was 3.9 which is about the same as for
all urban families, exclusive of unattached Individuals. This is remarkable
in view of the fact that large families suffer much more from bad housing
conditions than do small households, at the same time as they are less often
economically able to purchase good housing.®®
It is possible to add other similar criticisms. Still we should not overlook
the fact that the problems are extremely complicated, particularly during
the initial period of the program. The U.S.H.A. has given two valuable
experiences. It has demonstrated that rehousing of slum families can be
done in America. And it has shown that a federal agency, with only
financial and no administrative power in the local communities, can give the
Negro a square deal even in the South.
The lack of integration between the various federal housing programs,
however, has been great, especially as the programs have affected Negroes.
It is only recently, under the pressure of the war emergency, that the
various federal, housing offices have been combined into one agency, the
National Housing Agency. It remains to be seen to what extent this move
will bring about greater consistency.
7. Social Security and Public Assistance
We have already discussed some of the major social welfare programs,
the farm security work, the public health activities and the low cost housing
projects. Also, we shall touch upon certain government interferences with
the labor market. We want to consider here other principal welfare pro-
visions, such as social security, work relief, youth programs, categorical
assistance, home relief, school lunches and other direct distribution of
means of subsistence. Under the pressure of shrinking employment oppor-
tunities in agriculture and of industrial depression and job restriction in the
cities, public relief has become one of the major Negro occupations all
through the ^thirties it was surpassed only by agriculture and possibly by
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