Documents of the City of Boston, Issue 121

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Page 9 - ... European and Australian countries, a work so important that it has already called for no less than ten international housing congresses. The activities of foreign official authorities in the aid of housing have grown out of the conviction that private initiative is inadequate to deal with the housing problem and that systematic government regulation, encouragement, and financial aid must be given.
Page 4 - ... than one hundred and twentyeight square feet. For every ten feet or fraction thereof of increase in the height of the building above fifty feet the minimum width of such inner courts shall be increased by one foot, and the area thereof shall never be less than twice the square of such minimum width. Where an inner court is not located on the lot line, but is enclosed on all four sides, and the building does not exceed fifty feet in height, the least width of said court shall be not less than...
Page 9 - ... areas and of houses unfit to be human dwellings and threatening the health of the community. INADEQUACY OF PRIVATE INITIATIVE IN PROVIDING HOUSING. In the larger cities the question of cheap and, at the same time, sanitary dwellings for workingmen of small earnings has in many cases become an acute one. The ordinary means of supply by tho erection of houses by capitalists for investment have rarely proved adequate.
Page 12 - ... financing. The Committee believes, also, that a publicity bureau might well be established in the Health Department for the promotion by educational methods, of wholesome standard of property maintenance on the part of both owners and tenants. "Boston has yet," the report concludes, "to experience the thrill of a united public sentiment. We need this sentiment if we are to make progress. Housing in its larger aspect is a very human sort of problem. For its best expression there is required something...
Page 4 - ... above fifty feet the minimum width of such inner courts shall be increased by one foot, and the area thereof shall never be less than twice the square of such minimum width. Where an inner court is not located on the lot line, but is enclosed on all four sides, and the building does not exceed fifty feet in height, the least width of said court shall be not less than sixteen feet and the area not less than two hundred and fifty-six square feet. For every ten feet, or fraction thereof, of increase...
Page 11 - ... each year thereafter. Recognizing that even the most thoughtful and thoroughgoing housing program must come to naught without the backing of intelligent public opinion, the Committee concludes its report by suggesting methods for stimulating such public opinion in Boston. It recommends, for instance, that the City Planning Board be enlarged to include a subcommittee on housing composed of members especially qualified to study the whole housing problem in its larger aspects and to formulate at...
Page 10 - ... which will encourage the building of these houses, approximating, as nearly as may be, the rate at which the money is obtained by the city. 4. In order to constitute a real encouragement the loan should be for a term of not less than 10 years, and for as many years in addition up to a total term of 25 years as conditions may determine. 5. For the purpose of safeguarding the security of the loan, however, it is necessary that provisions be made for its compulsory reduction after 5 years, at the...
Page 10 - ... elimination of backyard buildings in the district. The now well-known Morton Street Improvement was but the first step in this larger project. As a practical means of giving public assistance toward the building of multiple dwellings, the Committee has outlined the following scheme : 1. A fund shall be established by the City of Boston, by borrowing through the medium of bond issue at a rate of 4 per cent or...
Page 7 - ... width, the width shall be the average width of the part of the street opposite the building or structure; if the effective width of the street is increased by an area or setback, the space between the face of the main building and the lawfully established line of the street may be built upon to the height of two and one half times the width of the street. All buildings or structures hereafter erected in any part of the city shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by chapter four hundred...
Page 10 - Boston, by borrowing through the medium of bond issue at a rate of 4 per cent or 4^'2 per cent, the proceeds of which shall be loaned out by a commission of five to be established, and to be known as the Housing Council. 2. Such loans shall be made to public welfare building associations, or to any other agencies that may satisfy the Housing Council of their good purpose and ability, upon the security of mortgages on the land and the buildings to be constructed. 3. Such loans should be made at...

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