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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 17

The next major public project involving family displacement on a large scale was the Floyd River Flood Control Project in which approximately 230 families were relocated over a two-year period. Of the 119 families that moved as a result of Phase One of this project (1961), more than one-half were nonwhite. The relocation supervisor of Sioux City has estimated that about 12 percent of the city's nonwhite population was relocated. Seventy-seven of the 119 families displaced by Phase One relocated without pubic (city) assistance while 52 were assisted by the city. In the summer of 1961 when relocation became absolutely necessary in order that work on the project might proceed, the city manager assigned a member of the city staff to relocation. This person worked with nonpublic agencies in attempting to find adequate housing for relocation. The task was especially difficult because of shortness of time, the presence of several low-income families, the relative scarcity of suitable rental property, and the racial factor. When the "chips were down", that is, when families had to be moved, some were moved with city help into "interim housing" and in some cases the city even paid the first month's rent. In 1962 the city assisted in the relocation of 72 families displaced by Phase Two of the Floyd River Project while 18 families were "self-relocated."

It seems reasonable to conclude that the public officials and citizens of Sioux City learned something of value as a result of their experience with these two public projects. The story of relocation in connection with these projects was not "a success story," as the relocation supervisor had indicated. Reactions of displaced families were not always favorable. Relocations frequently involved substandard housing. Members of minority groups were commonly forced to move into other ghetto-type areas where crowded and unsanitary conditions were frequently the rule rather than the exception.

Perhaps now the city was prepared to handle t he third major public project involving considerable family displacement, the Mary Tregalia Urban Renewal Project, with more foresight, greater ease, and fuller justice to the families involved. At any rate, the city endeavored to gird its loins properly to meet the requirements of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, the Federal agency charged with approving urban renewal projects for Federal aid.

The Mary Tregalia Project involves the displacement of an estimated 111 families in late 1963 and 1964. The City Council of Sioux City, acting as the Local Public Agency, will assume the responsibility for carrying out the relocation of families and individuals in connection with this project. The Urban Renewal Division and the city will employ a relocation staff consisting of a relocation supervisor, a field inspector, a relocation interviewer, and a clerk. Among other duties, the staff is to assist

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The next major public project involving family displacement on a large scale was the Floyd River Flood Control Project in which approximately 230 families were relocated over a two-year period. Of the 119 families that moved as a result of Phase One of this project (1961), more than one-half were nonwhite. The relocation supervisor of Sioux City has estimated that about 12 percent of the city's nonwhite population was relocated. Seventy-seven of the 119 families displaced by Phase One relocated without pubic (city) assistance while 52 were assisted by the city. In the summer of 1961 when relocation became absolutely necessary in order that work on the project might proceed, the city manager assigned a member of the city staff to relocation. This person worked with nonpublic agencies in attempting to find adequate housing for relocation. The task was especially difficult because of shortness of time, the presence of several low-income families, the relative scarcity of suitable rental property, and the racial factor. When the "chips were down", that is, when families had to be moved, some were moved with city help into "interim housing" and in some cases the city even paid the first month's rent. In 1962 the city assisted in the relocation of 72 families displaced by Phase Two of the Floyd River Project while 18 families were "self-relocated." It seems reasonable to conclude that the public officials and citizens of Sioux City learned something of value as a result of their experience with these two public projects. The story of relocation in connection with these projects was not "a success story," as the relocation supervisor had indicated. Reactions of displaced families were not always favorable. Relocations frequently involved substandard housing. Members of minority groups were commonly forced to move into other ghetto-type areas where crowded and unsanitary conditions were frequently the rule rather than the exception. Perhaps now the city was prepared to handle t he third major public project involving considerable family displacement, the Mary Tregalia Urban Renewal Project, with more foresight, greater ease, and fuller justice to the families involved. At any rate, the city endeavored to gird its loins properly to meet the requirements of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, the Federal agency charged with approving urban renewal projects for Federal aid. The Mary Tregalia Project involves the displacement of an estimated 111 families in late 1963 and 1964. The City Council of Sioux City, acting as the Local Public Agency, will assume the responsibility for carrying out the relocation of families and individuals in connection with this project. The Urban Renewal Division and the city will employ a relocation staff consisting of a relocation supervisor, a field inspector, a relocation interviewer, and a clerk. Among other duties, the staff is to assist 17