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Burlington Commission on Human Rights, 1964-1965

Report on Urban Renewal Programs and Their Effects on Racial Minority Group Housing in Three Iowa Cities - Page 15

Thus a larger number of families were competing at the same time for very limited housing opportunities, especially nonwhites looking for rentals.

Complaints were also voiced regarding the equity of settlements. A study was reported which purported to show that prices paid by the city to Urban Renewal property holders were at the rate of about 2.6 times the assessed tax value while houses sold on the open market at that same time brought approximately 3.8 times the assessed tax valuation.

Statements were also made to the Committee which declared that the Waterloo Real Estate Board did a preliminary survey to determine availability of housing for those to be displaced. In order to secure acceptance of the Urban Renewal plan it was charged that the Board indicated that there would be "hundreds of rental units" available to nonwhites. Mr. Harrington declared that "this was complete fabrication." He declared that "on a day-to-day basis we were lucky to have one or two that were anywhere near close to decent."

Writing to the Secretary of the Iowa State Advisory Committee nearly one year after the committee hearing in Waterloo, the Reverend Mr. Talbert stated:

While I do not have any specific instances of discrimination to submit to you at this time, I know there has been a general outcry on the part of the people affected by the Urban Renewal. The whole program  has left a bad taste in the minds of the people because they feel that they were paid unreasonably low prices for their homes, and were restricted in their choice of relocation. For instance, one man in my parish appealed his case because he was paid a lower price for his lots while a white man with adjoining lots was paid a higher price.

When the Advisory Committee of the Commission on Civil Rights met here last year, some documentary evidence of alleged discrimination was submitted; yet, nothing came of it.

Frankly, I do not know of any change in policy or procedure in the Urban Renewal program in Waterloo since the meeting last December.

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Thus a larger number of families were competing at the same time for very limited housing opportunities, especially nonwhites looking for rentals. Complaints were also voiced regarding the equity of settlements. A study was reported which purported to show that prices paid by the city to Urban Renewal property holders were at the rate of about 2.6 times the assessed tax value while houses sold on the open market at that same time brought approximately 3.8 times the assessed tax valuation. Statements were also made to the Committee which declared that the Waterloo Real Estate Board did a preliminary survey to determine availability of housing for those to be displaced. In order to secure acceptance of the Urban Renewal plan it was charged that the Board indicated that there would be "hundreds of rental units" available to nonwhites. Mr. Harrington declared that "this was complete fabrication." He declared that "on a day-to-day basis we were lucky to have one or two that were anywhere near close to decent." Writing to the Secretary of the Iowa State Advisory Committee nearly one year after the committee hearing in Waterloo, the Reverend Mr. Talbert stated: While I do not have any specific instances of discrimination to submit to you at this time, I know there has been a general outcry on the part of the people affected by the Urban Renewal. The whole program has left a bad taste in the minds of the people because they feel that they were paid unreasonably low prices for their homes, and were restricted in their choice of relocation. For instance, one man in my parish appealed his case because he was paid a lower price for his lots while a white man with adjoining lots was paid a higher price. When the Advisory Committee of the Commission on Civil Rights met here last year, some documentary evidence of alleged discrimination was submitted; yet, nothing came of it. Frankly, I do not know of any change in policy or procedure in the Urban Renewal program in Waterloo since the meeting last December. 15