"Mr. Carroll's figures indicate that New Hampshire, at 10.8 percent, has the largest proportion of New England's past 65'ers. This ratio, almost equalled in Vermont and Maine, is relatively high nationally, for Connecticut's, even though lower, is exceeded in few a Stes outside New England.

"'Social security and private pensions have been moving forward,' Mr. Carroll says, 'but housing for people old enough to collect benefits is not keeping pace. All this progress comes to nought,' he observes, ‘if the pension recipient still has no decent house in which to spend his declining years.'"-By William A. Garrett of the Hartford Times.

"There are many, many widows in Phoenix and most of them are looking for a smaller place when they sell their homes."-Mrs. Barton K. Yount-Phoenix, Ariz. (Widow of Lt. Gen. B. K. Yount.)

"I came to Washington in 1920, and from the time of my arrival as a young girl I have found living conditions intolerable, and I still am not satisfied with my present living quarters. In the year 1950 I was turned out three times. I walked the streets for hours and hours, on my own leave, until my feet ached. When I told the landlord I was single, he told me they didn't rent to single people. A single person has to pay as much as a couple or family for an apartment. There were various reasons why I had to move, among them being: The house was being sold, I used too much water, house was cold, no hot water, no privacy (no lock on the door because I was told private homes are not allowed to lock bedroom doors due to fire regualtions) and so forth-On one occasion I had a large sum of money stolen.

"I have been put to a great deal of expense in looking for a place to live, and moving, not to mention the leave I have taken from my work and the inconvenience caused my employer, the Government, so I have decided to stay and continue 'camping out' where I am until (I hope and pray) such a place as Residence At Ease is built."-Agnes Sutphin, Washington, D. C.

"Thank you for all the letters. Bulletin No. 5 is very interesting and full of hope for older women. What magnificent organizational job you have done. I heartily agree with your statement about expenditures for mental health in New York State. I was, for 10 years, finance secretary for the National Committee for Mental Hygiene. A home would have saved many (especially the older woman) from unkind and often brutal handling at the hands of indifferent and thoughtless individuals-just a place to be herself, have her own friends, do her simple chores in her home, and above all 'belong.' Yes. I do want to know more and help, if I can-and I believe I can."-Alice M. Bradford, New York City, N. Y.

"*** social change is helping to strengthen the housing demand. More older couples and individuals are coming into pensions and social security benefits. Generally, they want places of their own. They dislike living doubled up as much as do the newly-marrieds.

"In this country there has long been a strong tendency to avoid living with in-laws, and in recent years this has been strengthened by findings of sociologists and pyschologists which show that much domestic conflict arises from double household arrangements. Moreover, recent trends toward larger families have made this kind of living more difficult.

"Some realistic looking ahead is needed to find how the house of tomorrow can meet Americans' psychological as well as material needs * * *"-Malvina Lindsay, the Washington Post and Times Herald.

"Thank you for your letter of recent date. I am glad to note that you are sponsoring a program intended to help single persons in need of housing. We would be very interested in such a program and when you come to this city I suggest you call my secretary. We will be very happy to see you here at city hall."-Mayor deLesseps S. Morrison, New Orleans, La.

"The career woman who has no family, faces a special problem in looking forward to retirement. A career woman needs to assure her own maintenance, and I think that more than ever we need homes to which able-bodied and earning women may contribute and then enter when they need that kind of living."Copied from the Chicago Daily Tribune.

"I read your material as it comes along with a great deal of interest. I am constantly impressed by your persistence and consistent follow-up of any possibilities to improve the housing situation of single women, particularly business. professional and retired individuals. This seems to be in line with a tremendous need, since so many single women are going to be those who make up the major part of our older population and anything which provides for privacy and com

fort at a reasonable cost is indeed an answer to a very baffling problem."_Ollie A. Randall, Consultant on Services for the Aged with the Community Service Society, New York City, N. Y.

When speaking to a large group in Detroit, Frank Lloyd Wright, the world's most noted architect, said "This is an American grassroots movement."

"Each of your news letters has served to increase my interest and enthusiasm for the national movement of housing single persons.

"Introducing the idea to friends and acquaintances has been a pleasure, they accept it with such sincere attention, likely an old story to you but nevertheless a source of joy and satisfaction.

"Eleven years' experience with public housing has conditioned me to limited acceptance when individuals or groups meet the program for the first time. But a peek at the plan for housing for self-supporting single persons produces such keen interest in the idea that certainly the long look will bring many enthusiastic supporters and participants.

"I am eager to learn more and to have a part in developing this housing program."-Mrs. Jean C. Cutler, management adviser, housing authority of the city of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.

“As you undoubtedly know, Mrs. Houser, California has grown more than 4 million people in the last 12 years. Consequently, housing needs in all parts of the State have been, and are at the present time, critical."-From the office of Governor Earl Warren, State of California.

"Recently, I read one of your bulletins on Housing for Single Women and wonder if it would be possible to place my name on your mailing list to receive such bulletins as they are issued and any other material pertinent and available with reference to such housing.

"At present I am secretary in Los Angeles civil service. I am 50 and expect to retire at 65 on a small pension, probably $75 or $80 per month. I would like to feel that I had a place to call my own so that I could live on such a small pension." Mrs. Mary B. Davis, Los Angeles, Calif.

"In studying this question of what such a program means to single women, it is thought that probably the first reaction is a feeling to hope. It is a very personal hope, a vision of a faraway future in comfortable and attractive surroundings plus a feeling of security for aging years. We can by this project, I believe, produce something worth living for, something that will outlast our years and enrich the lives of future generations. We have the opportunity to share in a distinctive contribution to the women of tomorrow."-Pearle Cooper, Lawyer, Washington, D. C.

"I read with much interest document No. 7 in which you presented very ably the housing needs your group is attempting to fill, and what you have done towards bringing this project to fruition.

"As you know, I have followed with lively sympathy the progress you have made over the years through Miss Kran one of your most loyal and tireless workers. I only wish that circumstances made it possible to be of material assistance to your hardworking group.

"I hope that your dream will soon be realized and that your first building will be started before very long. The plans for the buildings on which you have touched are progressive and well thought-out."-Dr. Harald A. Rehder, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

"Old folks need own place" *** "I believe the general testimony is that elderly persons are better satisfied in a place of their own than they are living as subordinates in their children's homes. They need to keep busy, and to retain a way of life in which he is not emotionally or financially dependent on his children."-Mary Haworth's Mail, the Washington Post and Times Herald.

Miss Haworth quotes Mr. Clark Tibbits of the Department of Health, Edu'cation and Welfare as follows: "Contrary to widespread belief, aging people do not, as a group, want to live with their children. A 'living together' arrangement isn't too healthy in any case. * * * As a person ages, he should develop a way of life in which he is not emtionally or financially dependent on his children."-Mary Haworth's Mail, the Washington Post and Times Herald. "Yes, indeed, there is a very great need for housing for older unmarried women in Boston."-Mrs. Hazel I. Gormley, director of Boston Young Women's Christian Association, Boston 16, Mass. (the first YWCA in America.)

"A $15-million fund was allocated today for study of what may be the greatest health problem facing mankind—mental illness.

"The grant was announced by the Ford Foundation, which said about half the hospital beds in the United States now are occupied by mental patients.

"Care and treatment for the mentally ill costs Federal and State governments alone more than $1 billion annually," said a statement by Foundation President, H. Rowan Gaither, Jr.

"Yet, less than 1 percent of this sum currently is being spent for research on the prevention and cure of mental illness.”—Copied from the Washington Post and Times-Herald, May 8, 1955.

"Elderly new generation

"A Yale physician says it takes more than institutions to solve the social and personal problems resulting from the increase in the nation's aging population. "Ira V. Hiscock, professor of Public Health and Chairman of the Public Health Department at Yale said apartment projects, group homes, residence clubs, and similar arrangements are needed to integrate this 'new generation' of elderly people into our social and cultural life.

"Older people can lead more satisfying lives, with meaning for them and their families, despite physical and psychological limitations, if the community provides essential economic and social opportunities" Dr. Hiscock said.

"The 'most crucial' opportunities that must be provided for older people, he said, include those for employment, economic security, medical, dental, and nursing care, recreational and spiritual resources, and special housing with proper living arrangements.

"He said the resources for meeting the problems of the aging population have not yet been made available by the Federal, State, or local governments."

He pointed out that "contributions toward the problem offered by Connecticut are too limited for * * * "homes for the aged, and non-institutional living arrangements.”—Rocky Hill, Conn.-Copied from the Christian Science Monitor. "Business women discuss housing

"Proposals for a local cooperative housing unit for single women were considered Saturday afternoon at an informal meeting of business women.

"Miss Ruth Lewman, chairman of the Indianapolis Business and Professional Women's Club cooperative housing committee headed the conference, which was attended by 18 representatives of BPW chapters, women's service groups and professional associations.

"Miss Lewman's idea of housing for single women who work is a cooperative dwelling unit with private rooms or apartments and community dining rooms, lounges and shops.

"A preliminary survey of BPW members indicated strong interest in such a project.

"Women attending the meeting favored a long-range program with individual participation and group sponsorship.

"All the women at the meeting agreed that lack of such housing is a community problem."-Copied from an Indianapolis (Ind.) newspaper.

"I like the vastness of your project. A big vision is always interesting. Viewpoint has its difficulties and everything had to be tried and proved just as we went along. Nevertheless, the scheme went steadily forward, because it had behind it intelligence, enthusiasm, and good will united to achieve a good purpose. To borrow a phrase from the Psalms, a right idea, like the Word, may be said to be settled in Heaven. That is the pledge of its success on earth. We wanted to bring something of the sense of HOME to a world suffering desperately from homelessness. We also wanted to make some recognition of the rights of women workers as homemakers. They serve their communities the world over in all sorts of capacities; Surely they deserve the opportunity to express their individuality in homes where they can rest at ease. Freedom, privacy, and comfort coupled with suitability and beauty stimulate one to new thoughts and fresh activities. All this, we in our small beginning felt was needed. How splendid it is to feel that you across the seas have the same objects. With all my heart. I wish you the fullest possible success."--Miss J. M. M. Cunningham, founder of the Viewpoint Housing Society, Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland.

"*** It has been an amazing revelation to me to learn of the tremendous efforts which have been expended by a small group of dedicated people in championing the cause of housing specifically designed for occupancy by single persons.

"It is my considered opinion that the great amount of research and planning which has been accomplished would, if conducted by a government authority, have cost the taxpayers many millions of dollars.

"It is my earnest hope that you may achieve due recognition by the Congress of the urgency for further action in this splendid cause."-George E. Lorentz, accountant, Washington, D. C.

"I would like to take this opportunity of putting in a word for your housing program for single people.

"As a builder, it has been impressed upon me, that housing of this nature is urgently needed. I have looked over the plans for apartment housing for the above-mentioned people, and believe you really have something. I am certain it is worthy of the full attention of the 84th Congress, and sincerely trust it may adopt a favorable attitude toward the same.”—J. K. McIntosh, Sun Construction, general contractors, Chevy Chase, Md.

"Probably there is no single concrete object in our civilization that tells more about a man, his country, or his economy than does his home. It is at the very center of man's social and economic life. It often forms the material base on which man's moral life develops."-Cooperative Housing in Europe, a congressional report.

"I have followed for several years your efforts to obtain housing for single women. I believe there is a definite need for housing for people who want neither the high cost of living in a hotel nor the excess space of the normal unfurnished apartment. The women you represent are willing to help themselves if they can just get a little assist from the Congress. I wish you the best of luck on your legislative efforts for the coming year."-Tighe E. Woods, May 3, 1955 (our former National Housing Expediter).

Summary: The purpose of the foregoing suggested addition to bills S. 1800 and H. R. 5827, and the supporting statement is to inform members of Congress as fully as possible about a great need, so that they can allow for the expansion of a workable program. Such support from the Congress will enable us to serve many single persons (men and women) of all income levels; but particularly for the great middle-income group.

We realize that if our efforts are to succeed, immediate help is needed, on the legislative level, so that all the good that has been accomplished during the past 8 years can be saved and preserved for posterity. We believe that each Member of Congress will see this as we do.

We, the pioneers of this movement, feel that we are deserving of sufficient encouragement and financial aid, on a loan basis, to protect us and help us carry forward in this work of obtaining proper housing for single persons.

SUGGESTED ADDITION TO BILLS S. 1800 AND H. R. 5827

An Act to establish a program for the housing of mature single persons. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of American in Congress assembled, That the Congress hereby finds and declares that

(1) in many areas of the country there is not an adequate supply of suitable and safe housing for mature single persons;

(2) the lack of properly constructed dwelling units designed specifically for single persons, if not overcome in time by a self-help program is likely to cause an increase and spread of diseases which are characteristic of the elderly, thereby crowding hospitals with elderly persons under conditions of idleness; (3) that this situation constitutes a reproach and possible menace to the present and future health, safety, welfare, happiness, and comfort of our people and is often detrimental to property values in areas where it exists; therefore (4) the Federal Government should take immediate steps to assist in alleviating and preventing this situation by providing a national revolving fund loan of $10,000,000 to initiate and encourage self-help housing specifically designed for single persons.