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DECENT
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-LOW ® INCOME FAMILIES
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arÍQlthe PÜÉfitO fi íCO MOUSING AUtHORlTY — 1948-1949
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Date Loaned
'«í 11 ' ,
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recinto de í'iEwrtAS
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Hon. Governor Luis Muñoz Marín
3
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^otecoj:^ NO SE PR^Si^ .
SALA
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Ernesto J. Fonfrías
José N. Gándara
Vice-Chairman
Chairman
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César Cordero Dávila
Secretary & Executive Directoi
E D I T
11 Years of Public Housing Early i The Puerto Rico Housing Authority was established by virtue of Insular Act No. 126 of 1938, keyed to Public Law No. 412, approved by Congress in 1937, as amended, with a view to receive
the benefits of the policy therein adoptad by the United States to promote the general welfare of the Nation by employing its funds and credit to assist the several States and the political subdivisions in remedying the unsafe and insanitary dwelling conditions of familias of low income. The Puerto Rico Housing Authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners composed of five members and a Secretary. The Secretary also acts as Executive Director. The members or Commissioners are appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate for a period of
five years and serve without compensation. The Chairman of the Board is elected annually by the members.
marks the llth anniversary of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority. In these eleven years 4,711 familias were housed in the island projects. Many slum areas were cleared. BUT THE AUTHORITY'S GOAL IS: TO CLEAR EL FANGUITO, the island's worst and biggest slum area. <•
) :bars
,^1 ^
ÜLULVJ
CLEARAiNCE
authoeI?? developments theofpuerto ricowould housing UTHOEITY, ereated to provide decent homes within theofreach families who otherwise, be condemned to the misery and despair of slum living.
'
The activities and achievements of the Authority during the eleven years have all been planned
toward one objective-DEVELOPING WITHIN THE PROJECTS THOSE GPPORTUNITTFq
FOK DKENT NEIOHBOELY LIVING H.. wil,„W.,h.
Zi.gTZ " to .te
their full contribution as good American citizens. )ONE
The Puerto Rico Housing Authority operates 27 housing projeets in the island.
14 are Federally Subsidized r
13 are financed by the Insular Government.
• •
OUR HOME IS OUR CASTLE
TWO STORY APARTMENT BUILDING
FEDERAL AIDED
ÑAME
LOCATION
INSULAR AIDED
UNITS
ÑAME
LOCATION
UNITS
Santiago Veve Calzada
Fajardo
210
Caserío Dr. Feo. Seín
Lares
192
Félix Córdova Dávila
Manatí
193
Caserío Hato Grande
San Lorenzo
100
Delgado
Caguas
120
Extensión Hato Grande
San Lorenzo
24
José Mercado
Caguas
152
José de Diego
Aguadilla
178
Dr. Agustín Stahl
Bayamón
Las Lomas
San Germán
100
Manuel Corchado Juarbe
Isabela
170
Manuel J. Rivera
Coamo
112
José de Jesús Estevas
Aguadilla
199
Ext. Manuel J. Rivera
Coamo
32
Dr. López Sicardó
Río Piedras
256
Salinas
Salinas
104
Arturo Lluberas
Yauco
227
Extensión Salinas
Salinas
28
Dr. Coll y Tosté
Arecibo
100
Benigno Fdez. García^
Cayey
104
José Severo Quiñones
Carolina
197
Ext. Antonio Roig
Humacao
125
Fernando Calimano
Guayama
146
Zeno Gandía
Arecibo
248
Rosendo Matienzo Cintren
Cataño
160
San José
Río Piedras
711
Antonio Roig
Humacao
200
Eleanor Roosevelt
Río Piedras
329
89
View of De Diego Project at Aguadilla
.■>1.1 ■ ! .1».
•«BWSjarS -M
i
Decent Living Quiartei
ÁÉSáSiíti^^sS;'
jfor tlh e ••v=
U n derpr ía' il e g e (i
m.ffr áü / /•
VIEW OF DR. LOPEZ SICARDO PROJECT
;-;^r'iTv a.iridl Loveliness
AERIAL VIEW OF HATO GRANDE PROJECT
Íflíf,-»j4^
j
'
oi Nature... - i
Vour Best Soiuvenir ❖
❖
❖
\Vo.indcr, the Tenant
Íví" "
.¡'urii OA'cr for Í948>^49 [^Í5 . ■ •>í
m
r o I € c ts Und er Constructioii Project
No. of
Locatlon
Number
PRHA-10
Arecibo
Awarded Contract
Percentage of
Pi'ice
Completion 1948-49
Type of Project
Units
144
Dwellings Units
114
Land & Utilities Intermedíate Type Land & Utilities Intermedíate Type
$414, 894. 00
91. 37
613, 985. 00
72. 46
Earthfill of lots
35, 209. 00
80
689, 500. 00
91. 50
389, 000. 00
56. 00
PRHA-11
Bo. Amelia, Guaynabo
PRHA-12A
San José
PRHA-13
San José, Río Piedras
224
PRHA-14
San José, Río Piedras
144
Dwellings Units Dwellings Units
PRHA-16
San José, Río Piedras
120
Dwellings Units
312, 000. 00
74.15
244, 444. 42
95. 04
499
PRHA-22
Bayamón
347
Land & Utilities Sup. Type Land & Utilities Intermedíate Type
PRHA-23
Mayagüez
164
Dwellings Units
517, 500. 00
7. 33
PRHA-26
Isla Verde, Carolina
344
Land & Utilities Mínimum Type
143, 320. 00
94. 70
PRHA-26A
Isla Verde, Carolina
39,780.00
12. 47
144, 444. 00
25
9
Removal & Transportation of Houses from International Airport to Isla Verde Development
PRHA-27 MH-13
Arecibo
99
4
Carolina
Land Subdivisión Standard Type Experimental Model Houses
8, 515. 00
Order to Proceed June
21, 1949 MH-14
Río Piedras
8 0
Experimental Model Houses
17, 000. 00
Order to
Proceed July 7, 1949
Projects Completed During tte Year 1948^49 No. of
Project
Type of Project
Location Units
Number
Price
PRHA-3-14
Guayama
146
Dwelling Units
PRHA-12
Río Piedras
491
Land & Utilities Superior Type
PRHA-20
Río Piedras
300
Land & Utilities Minimum Type
PRHA-20A
Río Piedras
300
Latrines '
oE. Roosevelt
329
PRHA-^21
MH-8
Adjusted Contract
Río Piedras
5
Land Subdivisión Standard Type
$489, 389. 17 400, 537. 63 137, 426. 74 28, 029. 32 253, 296. 84
Model Houses 19, 679. 56
MH-9
Ponce
8
MH-10
Caguas
4
San Germán
3
MH-11
Model Houses
41, 023, 68 Model Houses 22, 389. 15
Model Houses 18, 361. 32
10
RENT DEPENDS ON INCOME
41Cr,¿ii¿Srikl
No more no less. Rents are based on the ability to pay, and are set at approximately l/5th and l/6th the total income less
utility and fuel expenses. Máximum income and rent ceilings are set sufficiently below rentáis available from prívate enterprise to assure a non-competitive and supplementing service to the community. THE CRITERION IS: What the family can afford to pay.
The total income for project varíes according to the dístríbutíon of dwelling units per rent grade. Rents range from $2.50 to $20.00 per month.
-
BETTER SERVICE
The Authority is required by law to make an annual check on tenant incomes to see that rents remain pro-
portional to incomes and that incomes are within the limits allowed for continued residence.
This re-examination also provides a means for checking
on other changes in the family not previously reported. o
The Authority maintains a cióse check-up on the physical condition oí the dwellings by periodic inspections, which bring to light difficulties that arise from overdue re-
pairs as well as those caused by poor housekeeping habits. The visits to the homes enable the manager to know the
full extent of his problems, so he can plan accordingly.
The social workers get acquainted with tenants' prob lems and try to help and guide them in their solution. The homemaking teachers who visit the tenants give advice to housekeepers who have special problems and to those who are inexperienced with good, clean, modern homes.
dini^n a new and brighter ENVIRONMENT
"THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE AIM OF THE L¿-V
%^'í'
N w/^
AMERICAN PEOPLE MORE WIDELY SUPPORTED AND MORE INSISTENTLY VOICED THAN THE DESIRE TO ATTACK THE SOCIAL EVILS OF THE SLUM AND TO PROVIDE DECENT LIVING QUARTERS FOR... THE UNDERPRIVILEGED."
(The U. 5. Senate Committee on Ediication and Labor—1937) ••
X r
By building housing projects and providing decent, safe and sanitary dwellings for red:eming the people from the slums, our mission is completed as far as tangible work is concerned WE HAVE TAKEN THE INDIVIDUAL OUT OF THE SLUM, huZ the hardcst. longest, and most tedious task is just beginning, that of TAKING THE SLUM OUT OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
As a continuation of the work of slum clearance, after the ncw houses are built and the
tenants from the slums moved in, thcre is the monumental task of providing
A
L D u c A rio
to transform thcm into
RABLE CITIZENS
i"'ívy
Library at Catañt) opcned e\
Monday and Wednesday
DANCING. is the most popular activity at the projects. Teen-agérs always look for a motive to dance. Social gatherings, meetings, movies, Queen elections, always end with the tempo of music.
FACI L 1T1 F S It is good to consider that most of the residents of the public housmg projects are people who lived a miserable life forgotten by soeiety, mingled with social evils as crime 'vice
juvemle delinquency, and prostitution.
Slum residents are the most unfortunate people Thev
are the enes we have to protect, to guide!to CtetaiS ' order to help them to live HAPPY anrl TTFAT Twv +v,
Section of Community Activitles of
AY
deavored to establish different facilité Authoiity has en-
the benefit of a lU'omising
M 1 L K S1'
c
Itll^ÍSr^ííSo^SS^f Mhh Stations Emergency Progrfml pferto
M S The misery and poverty in which the slum residents live, turns to society undernourished children. These children need care and ti-eatment. EfForts were made toward the
establishment of Nursery Schools in the ¡projects. Today
the Autliority operates Nursery Schools at Caguas, Baya-
món, Humacao, Río Piedras, Arecibo, Carolina, and Cayey where 310 children from 2 to 4 years oíd are attended to and cared for. Three meáis are served daily. Medical treatment is also provided.
PLAYGROUNDS...
In contrast to the barren streets of most slum areas, the public housing projects offer ampie, clean, well equipped playgrounds to promote sports and improve the health conditions of the tenants.
the adults in the housing projects improve their way of living. The Social Workers of the Authority have the responsibility of helping to adjust the tenants to their new environment. The Social Work Section has accomplished much more than what was expected of it. The progress is obvious. ¡Walk into the projects and see by yourself! In spite of the poor economic con Outdoort...
ditions of our families those contacted showed marked interest
and contributed to the success of this program.
£ i( )i\ í * \\ í . V ^ 1 ■% V , ( , X' ; / i-; N at Cataño, Isla Verde, and San José projects. The purpose of these centers is to help the tenants in the solution of their problems such as: diet, health, care of children, good housekeeping habits, selection of sewing materials.
Advice is given to tenants in relation to interior de-
coration, what kind of furniture they should buy considering their low income.
The trend among women is to step
from school into housekeeping.
In
order to be a good wife and housekeeper, the newly-wed should know how to cook, sew, and keep the house clean. THIS, AND MORE IS LEARNED at the HOMEMAKING CENTERS
established in the projects.
Domcvti' diiti» •
b> -
c
Education is fundamental to our children. It molds the
SCHOOL LUNCH rr) 1314 sehool children were servad lunch free at the school
character ancl behavior oí the individual. We cannot neglect
luncheons in the projects.
this valuable and precious asset.
1651 children received elementary education at public schools in the housing projects. The Department oí Education constructed a beautiful school building at Fajardo and the Legislature appropriated funds for the construction oí 3 more
schools at Carolina, Caguas and San José housing projects.
-l-H CLUBS , cMMre. flnd.gr,.t cWc help ta £°¡TAt "'1 A' Athletic Leagues already established in
L
405 chMtan„„,tatatad ta .hi" r"l"f Houta „tated .t E.t.v..
"-H
nvn-..,- ■,
for group social workers
Of Social Work of the University of'p\
supervisión of Dr. Thomas B. Jones V ?
Department
the University. This fieid canter iCl' Professor of cardó project. 15 students from th^^T • their experience in Social Work in .^'^"''•'ersity obtained second semester of 1948-49.
center during the
Gardening, Our Residents' Aífair.
In the project at Yauco the coonev .•
COO PL RALI V L
S IO R I
important activity. Durino. creaspd in iñfi
a
i.
m onn was reported. toto $27,000
store was tk»
^ the veay* ífo
was the mos
of $7 -.1 ^embership ^ 200 ,With sales amountiníin
■'^"^TCAL DISPENSARIES ONE OF THE MOST important services in a community is medical service. In spite of the shortage of doctors in the island, the
Authority has been lucky in securing the cooperation of a certain number of professionals to treat the patients in the projects. 220 patients were examinad and treated at the Medical Dispensary at Dr. López Sicardó project since its establishment. This dispensary was organizad by the Woman's Health Committee at the project with the cooperation of the Catholic Mission of San Martín of Porras. Doctors Ramón T. Colón, José Garriga, Carlos González, and Miguel A. Pastrana, Jr., Dentist, offer
their professional services free. The office hours are from 7 to 9 P. M., Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
iXÍHN'S HliAl ! H COMMTTTEES Among the diíferent Women's Health Committees the most active is that at Dr. López Sicardó project. These women are working very hard. Their knowledge of the tenants'
problems have marked a new era in their Uves. Understanding among neighbors as well as team work among the club's members have been encouraged. This aim has been attained.
TO THE PU
pP P'
IV :
THE PUERTO RICO HOUSING AUTHORITY, as a public agency, reaognizes its obligation to keep the public informed of its progress, of the way ít spends its money, and of its future plans. Its program Is reportad through:
RESS News storíes and feature artícles on the Authority's operatíons appeared In local papers almost d "I invitad to every activity that takes place in the projects.
^
Th ^
K Á D1
Radio programs were broadcast through local stations. The tenants participated in these programs.
¡I y
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"El Caserío" is the monthly newspaper published by the Authority. It Is devoted to the tenants.
.!
V,
PP'
. /\
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1
1 incipally to niatters of interest
f
V.) I^si
THE TENANTS MANUAL, a pamphlet giving Instructions to the tenants on their ' housing projects. 22
privileges in the
WHO
H
THUS...
nt I T r
I!
I
Pi
CH
1
Ifpriii,
THE CITY GIVES SERVICES
"P
rnr:y-:Fr7Jcrc
M A G I.
■ -fe
^
«ñ'ite' ilJia
Pólice and fire protection, health service,
education, library service, street maintenance and lighting, garbage collection, sewer service.
The Puerto Rico Housing Authority is able to oíFer decent homes to families of low income at rents adjusted to their
ability to pay because of the help which it receives from Federal and local governments. The Federal Government
helps by means of an annual contribution, which makes up 30
the diíference between the low rents paid by the tenants and the full cost of operating and maintaining the projects.
o
V
The Insular Legislature by Act No. 108 of 1944 appro-
\
^
THE TENANTS PAY RENT
'^
a
priated the amount of $2,200,000 and by Acts Nos. 154, 264, and 265 of 1945, appropriated $3,850,000 more, one million of which was to be used for freezing slums. Thereafter ap-
propriations were made for $875,000 in 1946, (Act No. 18) and $6,250,000 in 1947 (Act No. 410). By direction of the Governor this appropriation has been used exclusively to
clear a portion of El Fanguito. One million two hundred thousand dollars $1,200,000 of this amount have been transferred to the San Juan Housing Authority for Las Casas Extensión to be used for families from El Fanguito. The
last legislature approved $900,000 (Act No. 363) which amount has not been carried to Auditor's books as yet.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MEETS THE DEFICIT FOR
FEDERAL AIDED PROJECTS. ': • THE INSULAR GOVERNMENT
! [ "'••I
FOR THOSE RECEIVING INSULAR AID.
23
EL HOUSING
BOARD
The Model Housing Board was created by Act 6574 (Public No. 108-73rd Congress). By virtue of this Act the amount
of $30,000 is placed at the disposal of the Model Housing Board yearly for the construction of model houses. The
Act further provides that no more than eight (8l houses be buílt in any ene year in any Senatorial District. In 1940
the Puerto Rico Housing Authoríty began working in cióse cooperation with the Model Housing Board because of the
fact that the three members who compose the latter are members of the Board of Commissioners of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority.
A C 1' ;
I ES
San Germán .... 2 Model Houses Ponce 8 Model Houses
Hato Rey
5 experimental houses (Weldon) made of precast con crete panels
Guaynabo
1 experimental house of Terracota blocks manufactured
(Amelia)
Caguas
in Puerto Rico
4 Model Houses at "El Verde"
Río Piedras—
Hato Rey
!k'.
2 wooden Model Houses
(San José)
San Lorenzo.... 9 concrete blocks Model Houses Yo-Yo type—18 units
Río Grande
Preparation of Plans for 4 Model Houses
Río Piedras—
Hato Rey (San José)
Isla Verde Dorado
2 buildings with 8 units Yo-Yo type made of "Thex-moCon" concrete
4 experimental Model Houses (Modular type) 4 Houses were moved from Dorado to the San José Project
Arecibo 24
•>
Plans completed for 1 Model House made of asbestos and cement
/
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-i-HW"..^_,^a^. ««'^ *.-'*3 ■PfWSy-waaBFWB-*» •-.»-■—••
_,
IIMJ
8 9 Hbayamon
A R ECJ B O
C A TA N o
RIO PIEDRA^—
— MANATI
GÜAYNABO H 499
375 — AGUA DIL LA
CAROLINA
—
F A JARDO
—
—jL A RES CAG ü A 8
MAYAOUEZ VIE Q UES
SAN GERMAN
—
HUMACAO i— 200 -(( I 25 eUAYAM A «AM LORENZO —
2 8 )— I O 4"SAL I N A 8
CATEY
LO T s
PUERTO RICO HOUSING AUTHGRITY map showing
OWELLiNG
URBANIZED
projects completeo a under constructiow Department of Finance SERVICE OFFICE — PRiNTING DIVISION SAN JUAN P. R.
19 5 1
\^^^UIIBANIzationII
UNITS.
gonstruoted
iUHOCR 1 C9N S TRÜCT
ION