National Housing Act 60th Anniversary Coming Next Week (Period Video).

The 60th Anniversary of the National Housing Act is July 15th, next Wednesday.

This is the law with the "decent home in a suitable living environment" and "safe, decent, and sanitary" provisions we have seen referenced over the years ; the law also authorized the start of urban renewal programs.

Some resources:

1. GAO--The most complete history of the bill I found including hearings, floor debates, amendments, and statements in the Congressional Record. The final law from this GAO website is HERE.
2. From the GAO website, I created excerpts from the Congressional Record from Oregon Congressional Representative Angell (his district was all within Multnomah County). They provide some Oregon housing context and a listing of proponents and opponents of the bill.
   
3. Housing Policy Debate had a special issue, Legacy of the Housing Act of 1949, that was published to recognize the 50th Anniversary; the issue contained seven different articles about the aftermath of this landmark legislation.
4. VIDEO below, from my fav place, the Internet Archive: A Place to Live, 1948. This period piece video provides a rationale for slum clearance/urban renewal and public housing development in Philadelphia.
   

Originally created and posted on the Oregon Housing Blog.