received a grant from the PWA to raze the Beaver Slide neighborhood and rebuild University Housing for Black families. 152 According to Atlanta Housing, these developments were successful at rehousing and visibly transforming the landscape by improving people’s material conditions and housing options that the Housing Act of 1937 was passed. 153 The goals of the Housing Act of 1937 established federal subsidies for low-income housing were:
• The elimination of unsanitary and unsafe housing conditions
The eradication of slums
•
• The provision of descent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for families of low income
• The reduction of unemployment
• The stimulation of business activity
• To create a United States Housing Authority 154 155
The Atlanta Housing Authority was created in 1938 to facilitate the construction and rental of units in Techwood Homes, and future public housing. 156 After its first year managing Techwood Homes, the Atlanta Housing Authority made two recommendations for future developments: 157 1. To legislate “modern housing codes” and to enforce “without fear or favor”. 158 2. To facilitate planning in order to mitigate traffic flow. 159 In 1939, Councilperson John A. White introduced a resolution to name Buttermilk Bottom a slum clearance project. 160 In 1949, Atlanta aimed to emulate Robert Moses, who from 1946- 1953 single-handedly redesigned New York City and was known for pioneering the use of highways for slum clearance and demolishing historic neighborhoods. 161 Moses, a powerful urban planner in New York, spearheaded extensive infrastructure projects including all of the highways except one, the East 152 https://www.atlantahousing.org/about-us/ah-history/ 153 https://georgia-exhibits.galileo.usg.edu/spotlight/urban-renewal/feature/techwood-homes-the-nation-s-first- public-housing-project 154 “Techwood Homes: The Nation’s First Public Housing Project”, GA Exhibits, Digital Libraries of Georgia, https://georgia-exhibits.galileo.usg.edu/spotlight/urban-renewal/feature/techwood-homes-the-nation-s-first-public- housing-project 155 The United States Housing Act of 1937, Federal Works Agency, United States Housing Authority, Washington DC. https://ia800708.us.archive.org/17/items/Housingact1937/housingact1937_text.pdf 156 Barbara Milz, “Atlanta Pioneered the War on Slums in Hectic 1930s.”, The Atlanta Constitution, November 22, 1960.
157 Milz, “War on Slums.” 158 Milz, “War on Slums.” 159 Milz, “War on Slums.” 160 “Slum Clearance Project Asked,” The Atlanta Constitution , June 6, 1939, pg 12.
161 "Plans Slum Clearance Project in Atlanta." New Journal and Guide (1916-), Nov 18, 1944.
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