Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and (c) the public-housing agency operating the project in the State makes application to the Public Housing Administration for Federal assistance for the project under the terms of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended. Its inclusion in this bill makes necessary the repeal of a similar provision contained in section 503 of the Housing Act of 1948 which applied only to projects where a State contract was made prior to January 1. 1949.

SECTION 507. CENSUS OF HOUSING

This section provides a permanent authorization for the Director of the Census, in the year 1950 and decennially thereafter, to take a housing census (similar to that first taken in 1940, which included information about the number, characteristics, quality, values, rentals, geographic distribution, etc.) in conjunction with and as a part of the population inquiry of the decennial census.

SECTION 508. NATIONAL CAPITAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

This section would restore to the National Capital Housing Authority the power to acquire sites for low-rent public housing projects assisted under the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, including the amendments contained in title II of the bill. Without this amendment, the District of Columbia would not be able to obtain the benefits provided by title II of the bill.

SECTION 509. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PARTICIPATION

This section makes available to the District of Columbia the benefits provided under titles I and II of the bill. It authorizes the participation of the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency, the National Capital Housing Authority, and other appropriate agencies operating in the District of Columbia to receive the benefits of titles I and II of H. R. 4009 on the same basis and to the same extent that the States, Territories, and other municipalities would be authorized to participate. Under the provisions of this section of the bill, the District of Columbia Redevelopment Act of 1945 is continued in full force and effect. However, it provides an alternative method of financing slum clearance and redevelopment operations in the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency by vesting in that Agency (subject to the approval of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia) the power to accept financial assistance which would be authorized under title I of H. R. 4009.

The section authorizes the allowance of credits for local grants-in-aid in connection with projects undertaken within the District of Columbia, under title I of H. R. 4009, to the same extent as local grants-inaid are approvable for other cities and States. It also provides that, in the event such local grants-in-aid are not sufficient to meet the local grants-in-aid requirements, the Housing and Home Finance Administrator may rely upon agreements entered into between the District Commissioners and the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency to make cash payments of such deficiencies from the funds of the District of Columbia and to authorize appropriations to the District Commissioners for such purpose, where necessary.

With respect to any project undertaken with financial assistance under title I of H. R. 4009, it also makes sections 3 (f), 3 (k), and 7 (g), and the last sentence of section 6 (b) (2) of the District of Columbia Redevelopment Act of 1945 inapplicable to any real property which, in accordance with the redevelopment plan adopted by the Planning Commission and approved by the District Commissioners, is to be devoted to public housing undertaken under Public Law 307, Seventythird Congress, approved June 12, 1934 (the District of Columbia Alley Dwelling Act, as amended). The National Capital Housing Authority would be entitled to acquire by deed those pieces of real property within a redevelopment project area which, in accordance with the approved project area redevelopment plan, are to be devoted to public housing to be undertaken under Public Law 307, Seventythird Congress, approved June 12, 1934, as amended, and in accordance with the requirements of section 107 of H. R. 4009 the National Capital Housing Authority would be obligated to pay for such real estate out of funds made available for such acquisition.

SECTION 510. ACT CONTROLLING

This section contains the standard provision providing that the provisions of this act shall control in the case of inconsistency with other legislation.

SECTION 511. SEPARABILITY

This is the usual separability clause.

XII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 2a of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, as introduced, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman):

UNITED STATES HOUSING Act of 1937, AS AMENDED

DECLARATION OF POLICY

SECTION 1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States to promote the general welfare of the Nation by employing its funds and credit, as provided in this Act, to assist the several States and their political subdivisions to alleviate present and recurring unemployment and to remedy the unsafe and insanitary housing conditions and the acute shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for families of low income, in [rural or urban communities] urban and rural nonfarm areas, that are injurious to the health, safety, and morals of the citizens of the Nation.

SEC. 2. When used in this Act

DEFINITIONS

(1) The term "low-rent housing" means decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings within the financial reach of families of low income, and developed and adminis tered to promote serviceability, efficiency, economy, and stability, and embraces all necessary appurtenances thereto. [The dwellings in low-rent housing as defined in this Act shall be available solely for families whose net income at the time of admission does not exceed five times the rental (including the value or cost to them of heat, light, water, and cooking fuel) of the dwellings to be furnished such families, except that in the case of families with three or more minor dependents, such ratio shall not exceed six to one.] The dwellings in low-rent housing as defined in this Act shall be available solely for families whose net annual income at the

For

time of admission, less an exemption of $100 for each minor member of the family other than the head of the family and his spouse, does not exceed five times the annual rental (including the value or cost to them of water, electricity, gas, other heating and cooking fuels, and other utilities) of the dwellings to be furnished such families. the sole purpose of determining eligibility for continued occupancy, a public housing agency may allow, from the net income of any family, an exemption for each minor member of the family (other than the head of the family and his spouse) of either (a) $100, or (b) all or any part of the annual income of such minor. For the purposes of this subsection, a minor shall mean a person less than 21 years of age.

(2) The term "families of low income" means families who are in the lowestincome group and who cannot afford to pay enough to cause private enterprise in their locality or metropolitan area to build an adequate supply of decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for their use.

(3) The term "slum" means any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitation facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health, or morals.

(4) The term "slum clearance" means the demolition and removal of buildings from any slum area.

(5) The term "development" means any or all undertakings necessary for planning, financing (including payment of carrying charges), land acquisition, demolition, construction, or equipment, in connection with a low-rent housing [or slum-clearance] project [, but not beyond the point of physical completion.] The term "development cost" shall comprise the costs incurred by a public housing agency in such undertakings and their necessary financing (including the payment of carrying charges, but not beyond the point of physical completion), and in otherwise carrying out the development of such project. Construction activity in connection with a low-rent-housing project may be confined to the reconstruction, remodeling, or repair of existing buildings.

(6) The term "administration" means any or all undertakings necessary for management, operation, maintenance, or financing, in connection with a lowrent-housing or slum-clearance project, subsequent to physical completion.

(7) The term "Federal project" means any project owned or administered by the Authority.

(8) The term "acquisition cost" means the amount prudently required to be expended by a public-housing agency in acquiring a low-rent-housing or slumclearance project.

(9) The term "nondwelling facilities" shall include site developments, improvements, and facilities located outside building walls (including streets, sidewalks, and sanitary, utility, and other facilities).

(10) The term "going Federal rate of interest]" means [at any time] the annual rate of interest (or, if there shall be two or more such rates of interest, the highest thereof) specified in the [then] most recently issued bonds of the Federal Government having a maturity of ten years or more, determined, in the case of loans or annual contributions, respectively, at the date of Presidential approval of the contract pursuant to which such loans or contributions are made: Provided, That for the purposes of this Act, the going Federal rate shall be deemed to be not less than 21⁄2 per centum.

(11) The term "public housing agency” means any State, county, municipality, or other governmental entity or public body (excluding the Authority), which is authorized to engage in the development or administration of low-rent housing or slum clearance. The Authority shall enter into contracts for financial assistance with a State or State agency where such State or State agency makes application for such assistance for an eligible project which, under the applicable laws of the State, is to be developed and administered by such State or State agency.

(12) The term "State" includes the States of the Union, the District of Columbia, and the Territories, dependencies, and possessions of the United States.

(13) The term "Authority" means the United States Housing Authority created by section 3 of this Act.

(14) The term "veteran" shall mean a person who has served in the active military or naval service of the United States at any time on or after September 16, 1940, and prior to July 26, 1947, and who shall have been discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. The term "serviceman" shall mean a person in the active military or naval service of the United States who has served therein on or after September 16, 1940. and prior to July 26, 1947.

(15) The term “initiated” when used in reference to the date on which a project was initiated refers to the date of the first contract for financial assistance in respect to such project entered into by the Authority and the public housing agency.

UNITED STATES HOUSING AUTHORITY

SEC. 3. (a) There is hereby created in the Department of the Interior and under the general supervision of the Secretary thereof a body corporate of perpetual duration to be known as the United States Housing Authority, which shall be an agency and instrumentality of the United States.

(b) The powers of the Authority shall be vested in and exercised by an Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Administrator shall serve for a term of five years and shall be removable by the President upon notice and hearing for neglect of duty or malfeasance but for no other cause.

(c) The Administrator shall receive a salary of $10,000 a year, shall be eligible for reappointment, and shall not engage in any other business, vocation, or employment.

Neither the Administrator nor any officer or employee of the Authority shall participate in any matter affecting his personal interests or the interest of any corporation, partnership, or association in which he is directly or indirectly interested.

SEC. 4. (a) The Administrator is authorized, subject to the civil-service laws and the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, to appoint and fix the compensation of such employees as may be necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the Authority under this Act; except that without regard to the civilservice laws he may appoint such officers, attorneys, and experts, and such employees whose compensation is in excess of $1,980 per annum, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(b) Appointment to positions made under the provisions of this Act the annual salary of which is in excess of $7,500 per annum shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

(c) The Administrator may accept and utilize such voluntary and uncompensated services and with the consent of the agency concerned may utilize such officers, employees, equipment, and information of any agency of the Federal, State, or local governments as he finds helpful in the performance of the duties of the Authority. In connection with the utilization of such services, the Authority may make reasonable payments for necessary traveling and other expenses.

(d) The President may at any time in his discretion transfer to the Authority any right, interest, or title held by any department or agency of the Federal Government in any housing or slum-clearance projects (constructed or in process of construction on the date of enactment of this Act), any assets, contracts, records, libraries, research materials, and other property held in connection with any such housing or slum-clearance projects or activities, any unexpended balance of funds allocated to such department or agency for the development, administration, or assistance of any housing or slum-clearance projects or activities, and any employees who have been engaged in work connected with housing or slum clearance. The Authority may continue any or all activities undertaken in connection with projects so transferred, subject to the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. (a) The principal office of the Authority shall be in the District of Columbia, but it may establish branch offices or agencies in any State, and may exercise any of its powers at any place within the United States.

The Authority may, by one or more of its officers or employees or by such agents or agencies as it may designate, conduct hearings or negotiations at any place

(b) The Authority shall sue and be sued in its own name, and shall be represented in all litigated matters by the Attorney General or such attorney or attorneys as he may designate.

(c) The Authority shall have an official seal, which shall be judicially noticed. (d) The Authority shall be granted the free use of the mails in the same manner as the executive departments of the Government.

(e) The Authority, including but not limited to its franchise, capital, reserves, surplus, loans, income, assets, and property of any kind, shall be exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the United States or by any State, county, municipality, or local taxing authority. Obligations, including interest thereon, issued by public housing agencies in connection with low-rent-housing or slum

clearance projects, and the income derived by such agencies from such projects, shall be exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the United States. SEC. 6. (a) The Authority may make such expenditures, subject to audit under the general law, for the acquisition and maintenance of adequate administrative agencies, offices, vehicles, furnishings, equipment, supplies, books, periodicals, printing and binding, for attendance at meetings, for any necessary traveling expenses within the United States, its Territories, dependencies, or possessions, and for such other expenses as may from time to time be found necessary for the proper administration of this Act. Such financial transactions of the Authority as the making of loans, annual contributions, and capital grants, and the acquisition, sale, exchange, lease, or other disposition of real and personal property, and vouchers approved by the Administrator in connection with such financial transactions, shall be final and conclusive upon all officers of the Government; except that all such financial transactions of the Authority shall be audited by the General Accounting Office at such times and in such manner as the Comptroller General of the United States may by regulation prescribe.

(b) The provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (U. S. C., 1934 edition, title 41, sec. 5) shall apply to all contracts of the Authority for services and to all of its purchases of supplies except when the aggregate amount involved is less than $300.

(c) The use of funds made available for the purposes of this Act shall be subject to the provisions of section 2 of title 3 of the Treasury and Post Office Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 1934 (47 Stat. 1489) and to make such provisions effective every contract or agreement of any kind pursuant to this Act shall contain a provision identical to the one prescribed in section 3 of title 3 of such Act. (d) No annual contribution, grant, or loan, and no contract for any annual contribution, grant, or loan, under this Act, shall be undertaken by the Authority except with the approval of the President.

(e) With respect to all projects under title II of Public Law 671, Seventy-sixth Congress, approved June 28, 1940, references therein to the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, shall include all amendments to said Act made by the Housing Act of 1949 or by any other law thereafter enacted.

SEC. 7. (a) The Authority may publish and disseminate information pertinent to the various aspects of housing.

(b) In January of each year the Authority shall make an annual report to Congress of its operations and expenses, including loans, contributions, and grants made or contracted for low-rent-housing and slum-clearance projects undertaken, and the assets and liabilities of the Authority. Such report shall include operating statements of all projects under the jurisdiction of or receiving the assistance of the Authority, including summaries of the incomes of occupants, sizes of families, rentals, and other related information.

SEC. 8. The Authority may from time to time make, amend, and rescind such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. SEC. 9. The Authority may make loans to public-housing agencies to assist the development, acquisition, or administration of low-rent-housing or slumclearance projects by such agencies. Where capital grants are made pursuant to section 11 the total amount of such loans outstanding on any one project and in which the Authority participates shall not exceed the development or acquisition cost of such project less all such capital grants, but in no event shall said loans exceed 90 per centum of such cost. In the case of annual contributions in assistance of low rentals as provided in section 10 the total of such loans outstanding on any one project and in which the Authority participates shall not exceed 90 per centum of the development or acquisition cost of such project. Such loans shall bear interest at such rate not less than the applicable going Federal rate [at the time the loan is made,] plus one-half of 1 per centum, shall be secured in such manner, and shall be repaid within such period not exceeding sixty years, as may be deemed advisable by the Authority: Provided, That in the case of projects initiated after March 1, 1949, with respect to which annual contributions are contracted for pursuant to this Act, loans shall not be made for a period exceeding forty years from the date of the bonds evidencing the loan: And provided further, That, in the case of such projects or any other projects with respect to which the contracts (including contracts which amend or supersede contracts previously made) provide for loans for a period not exceeding forty years from the date of the bonds evidencing the loan and for annual contributions for a period not exceeding forty years from the date the first annual contribution for the project is paid, such loans shall bear interest at a rate not less than the applicable going Federal rate.