Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 82.djvu/519

 82 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 90-448-AUG. 1, 1968

477

IMPROVED A R C H I T E C T U R A L DESIGN I N GOVERNMENT ITOUSIN(} PROGRAMS

SEC, 4. The Congress finds that Federal aids to housing have not (•ontribiited fully to improvement in architectural standards. This objective has been contemplated in Federal housing legislation since the establishment of mortgage insurance through the Federal Housing Administration, The Congress commends the Department of Housing and Urban Development for its recent efforts to impix)ve architectural standards through competitive design awards and in other ways but at the same time recogiiizes that this important objective requires high priority if Federal aid is to make its full connnunitywide contribution toward improving our urban environment. The Congress further finds that even within the necessary budget limitations on housing for low and moderate income families architectural design could be improved not only to make the housing more attractive, but to make it better suited to the needs of occupants. The Congress declares that in the administration of housing programs which assist in the provision of housing for IOAV and moderate nicome families, emphasis should be given to encouraging good design as an essential component of such housing and to developing housing which will be of such quality as to reflect its important relationship to the architectural standards of the neighborhood and community in which it is situated, consistent with prudent budgeting. A N N U A L REPORT ON AREAS OK PRCKJRAM ADMINISTRATION M A N A G E M E N T W H I C H REQUIRE IMPROVEMENT

AND

SEC, 5. The Secretary shall, as early as practicable in the calendar Rep°" \° conyear 1969 and in the calendar year 19 rO, make a report to the mittees. respective Committees on Banking and Currency of the House of Representatives and the Senate identifying specific areas of program administration and management which require improvement, describing actions taken and proposed for the purpose of making such improvements, and recommending such legislation as may be necessary to accomplish such improvements. Each such report shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas of program administration and management: uniformity antl standardization in program requirements, simplification of program procedures, ways and means of expediting consideration of proposed projects and applications for assistance, the provision of more useful and specific assistance to communities, organizations and individuals seeking to utilize the Department's programs, and ways and means of combining or otherwise adapting the Department's programs to increase their usefulness in meeting the individual needs of applicants. TITLE I — L O W E R INCOME H O U S I N G H O M E O W N E R S H I P FOR LOWER I N C O M E

FAMILIES

SEC, 101. (a) Title II of the National Housing Act is amended by \ 52 Stat. 9. adding at the end thereof the following: new section: xl^,^^^ ^^°^' '15y.

J I O M E O W N E R S H I P FOR LOWER I N C O M E

FAMILIES

"SEC. 235. (a) For the purpose of assisting lower income families in acquiring homeownership or in acquiring membership in a cooperative association operating a housing project, the Secretary is authorized to make, and to contract to make, periodic assistance payments on behalf of such homeowners and cooperative members. The assistance shall

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