There are now 35 Applications on file at the Municipal Building for rentals of the 35 temporary housing units which have been allocated as Norwood’s share of emergency housing relief by the Federal Government.
Norwood has been approved for 35 family units in the emergency housing program for war veterans, it was announced early this week by Harry B. Butters, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
In a telegram received over the weekend. Sumner K Wiley, Federal Public Housing Administrator. Boston informed the local Board that your application for emergency housing for veteran has been approved to the extent of 35 family units.”
With the Bellevue Avenue site already accepted by the federal agency, following recommendation of the location by the Board of Selectman as the “number one” choice, plans for the temporary housing project will be speeded as rapidly as possible. The first move by the town will be to contact the federal agency and have the units laid out on the lot. Estimates will be made of the expenditures the town will be obliged to make in connection with the project. and an appropriation will then town and the federal government can then be signed.
No date has yet been set for the Special Town Meeting, which in any event must be duly advertised seven days in advance. The meeting will have to be timed, it is pointed out, so that estimates of costs will be ready for the voters.
A recent quick estimate has revealed that cost of installing the water and electric power to each unit will run into approximately $150. One of the prime features of the Bellevue Avenue location, it was pointed out, is that sewer, water and electricity connections are easily available to that site.
While the rental charges for the units has not been definitely decided upon, it is stated that the rentals will be nominal.
The town is not interested in making profits on the project and is going into the undertaking as a necessary civic responsibility in providing living quarters for returning servicemen and their families.
The Federal Government has stipulated that in providing the units without cost to municipalities that the project be exclusively for ex-servicemen.
It is anticipated that local Housing Authority for the purpose of Administration and general supervision will be set up In the local town government to carry on during the emergency for which the project has been created. Town Manager Francis W. Smith is meanwhile conducting negotiation with the Federal Authorities and representing the town in the plans which are being speeded through the necessary channels so that the project can get underway at the earliest possible date.
In answer to numerous inquiries received at the. office of the Daily Messenger and the Municipal Building, from residents in the vicinity of the Bellevue Avenue site, it is emphasized by officials that the arrangement is by law, strictly a temporary program.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)