Alley Dwelling Authority
The District of Columbia Alley Dwelling Act established the National Capital Housing Authority as “The Authority” on June 12, 1934. Executive Order 6868 renamed the agency as the Alley Dwelling Authority, designated its membership, and outlined its functions.
Originally, the Authority confined its activities to slum reclamation in squares in the District of Columbia containing inhabited alleys. At the time the Authority began its operations, there were approximately 200 such squares. Under the Act, the Authority could redevelop an alley square for any purpose that served the interest of the city. Because many of these squares were not adapted to low-rent housing, the Authority sought amendments that would enable it to build dwellings for low-income families equal in number to those displaced by its slum reclamation on other sites. In the meantime, the Housing Act of 1937 was passed. At the next session of Congress, the Authority secured the desired amendments to its act and was authorized to borrow from the United States Housing Authority on the same terms as local housing authorities in other cities.
With the beginning of World War II, the Authority temporarily suspended its work and concentrated attention on providing additional dwellings for defense workers and, later, for war workers. But expansion of military facilities, such as the Navy Yard and a military highway, displaced resident low-income families and necessitated provisions be made for these people. Executive Order 9344, of May 21, 1943, established the authority as an independent agency and changed the name to National Capital Housing Authority.
After the war, NCHA continued as the public housing agency for the District of Columbia, attempting to provide an adequate supply of proper housing for low-income families and individuals. In addition to building and acquiring housing, the Authority managed and maintained the properties as well as provided social services, such as day care, tutoring and recreational activities, for residents. On March 13, 1968, by Executive Order No. 11401, the President designated the Commissioner of the District of Columbia as the Authority to carry out the provisions of the District of Columbia Alley Dwelling Act. The Executive Order stated that in carrying out his functions as such Authority, the Commissioner would be known as the “National Capital Housing Authority”.
The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of December 24, 1973, abolished the agency, effective July 1, 1974.
Actions
The ADA was ostensibly given the task of evaluating homes and streets to see if they met proper living conditions, but also had the power to condemn any building within a block as long as an alley dwelling existed on that block. Specific documentation would state the reasons why the area needed to be renovated. This documentation would then be sent from the authority to legislation for approval. Individuals in legislation included Eleanor Roosevelt. Common reasons as to why an area needed to be renovated were: excess of individuals in one home, too many African Americans in and around the area, or a fading exterior. After the ADA gained approval from legislation, it would then give the occupants of the houses anywhere from two to four months to find a new home. By July 1, 1944, all of the houses in Foggy Bottom had been evacuated and plans were set forward for renovation. This act sought to produce larger living spaces for individuals with better conditions, so that the owners could charge more for rent. Higher rent prices were acceptable at the time because of a boom in available jobs, which created a more competitive supply and demand market for housing. Monthly rent usually ranged anywhere from 17 to 37 dollars. These prices fluctuated often because of the available jobs and the condition of the houses. Older houses were typically cheaper than new homes, some of which had running water, gas heaters and cooling systems. Statistics suggest that, on average, the greater wealth arose from the majority of white residents, but also that Black wealth was steadily increasing due to new job patterns.Impact
In the process of attempting to improve upon DC living standards, the ADA demolished entire alleys. By tearing down the houses of alley dwellers, the ADA was able to refurbish the area into better houses.Funding for the new houses came from the United States Housing Authority. The two loans that were made amounted to a total of $6,000,000 and $4,258,000. However, the construction meant that alley dwellers whose houses were being fixed would have no place to live. Of the five completed projects, four of them had African American residents. The intended purpose for these projects was to lower crime and death rates. Moreover, there was a conflict when the white population did not want the Black population to dwell near them. The ADA had several moral and legal conflicts to manage, as it had to undergo multiple legal loopholes to excise the alley dwellers out of their homes.