Because of Housing Shortage, 200 Rental Houses to Be Built in High Point, Oct. 2, 1919

From The Review, High Point, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 2, 1919

Provide More Room. . . A Long-Felt Want About to Be Met. . . 200 Renting Houses to Be Erected

High Point will organize a housing corporation to erect some 200 dwelling houses in High Point which will be let to citizens on a rent basis with privilege of buying, following out the plan adopted by the Reynolds of Winston, the company in Greensboro recently formed and other cities who have made a success of the venture.

The corporation will have a capital of a quarter million dollars. The project will relieve almost unbearable conditions here in the way of renting houses.

R.B. Terry has been named chairman of a committee which will secure data on the proposition, and another meeting of business men will be held soon, at which time the proposition will be taken up, data available submitted, and active steps for organization of the corporation taken.

Two prominent business men have already signified their willingness to invest $25,000 each. 

Business men declare they will have no trouble in forming a $250,000 corporation, or an even larger one should it be necessary.

Several sites for the proposed development have already been inspected, but no definite selection has yet been made, nor will it until the merits and demerits have been thoroughly discussed.

It is not believed there will be any difficulty in securing a street car extension to whatever site is selected. A tract of 50 acres, as close in as possible, will probably be purchased. This will give room for four house to the acre of land, and will provide the home with a good sized lot for a garden and lawn.

The type of houses to be built has not been discussed yet, but will possibly be of five or six and seven rooms. The purchaser will pay for them just like renting a house, or much on the same order as the operation of a building and loan association.

Practically the same scheme is being followed I other cities, where housing conditions have become congested owing to the let up on building operations during the period of war.

In High Point housing conditions are admittedly critical. Many more people would come to High Point, but they find the problem of securing a place to live almost an insurmountable one. Business men have not been slow to realize the fact that the future development of the city depends, in a large measure, on its ability to house new citizens. They are determined to make every effort to relieve this condition, and to start operations as soon as possible.