Public Administration ETDs

Publication Date

5-19-1971

Abstract

The 1949 Housing Law made "the goal of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family” the basis of the National housing policy. Various programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are geared to this goal. This thesis looks at the housing problem within the broad context of social and cultural value as they evolve with time. The differential distribution of housing is based on the reward system of the society and reflects its norms and values. The people who are not rewarded with a "decent home” are viewed as misfits and perhaps a threat to the society. Thus, the society was originally motivated to solve the "housing problems" because of the ''social costs'' involved. The resulting solutions were basically "punitive". More recently the problem has been viewed in a broader perspective, though still from a ''social cost” rather than ''equity" point of view; consequently the solutions have become more sophisticated. A brief history of Housing Legislation in the U.S. is given to help put the above in historical perspective. The question of defining housing standards is examined from a generic, legal and a practitioner's point of view. It is seen that all such definitions are heavily influenced by population density, technology, geography and, most importantly, by the cultural and social values. There are, therefore, no definitions which are acceptable to all. The normative philosophy of planning is briefly examined, followed by a discussion of the implicit assumptions in Planning and in the Workable Programs. The HUD requirements for preparing the Housing Elements are also listed. The Housing Element for the Grants-Milan area of New Mexico is prepared. It is found that nearly one-fifth of the housing is substandard. The major obstacles appear to be the poverty of the spanish-surnamed and the unsettled character of the rest of the community. The conclusions and recommendation involve the following elements. Substandard housing is a symptom but has been perceived as a disease. The resulting solutions are unworkable because the “human element” of the problem have not been given enough weight. It is indicated that the housing program have been more successful in the secondary objectives, such as clearance, than in providing "decent" housing to all. Since the problem is complex, a multifacetted approach to the solution is needed. The functional committee structure of Congress and the existing code enforcement philosophy are seen as major obstacles to such solutions. A reorganization of Congressional Committees, clustered around problems rather than functions, is suggested. It is proposed that codes be based on performance and not on materials. A skeleton at the national level should be formulated with relevant details added as one moves on to the state and local governments. The code should be administered and enforced by "neighborhood councils". This is seen a more "rational” than the imposition of a "uniform national code". Finally, the need for a change value system, reflecting the material abundance and not scarcity of the "post­industrial” society, is stressed.

Degree Name

Public Administration

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Public Administration

First Committee Member (Chair)

John Mace Hunger

Second Committee Member

Daniel U. Henning

Third Committee Member

David R. Jones

Sponsors

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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