City Committeeman Seeks University Aids in Housing

In a plea for action to halt the recent emigration of Cambridge residents, a member of the City government yesterday called on the University and M.I.T. to initiate improvements on local middle-income housing developments.

Citing similar work done in New York City by Columbia and Fordham, Robert L. Wise '49, a member of the Committee on Urban Conservation and Renewal, asked "education to shoulder this new type of responsibility." Wise issued the suggestions in a minority report to the Committee."

The report named the area between Harvard and Central Squares as a possible starting point for action in new housing developments. One of the aims in providing better middle-income housing, according to Wise, would be to provide for the families of younger faculty members living in Cambridge.

Campaign of Slum Clearance

Wise cited the Schools of City Planning at both the University and M.I.T, and the wealth of both universities as valuable assets in a campaign of slum clearance and rebuilding. Since middle-income families are not eligible for public housing benefits, such a campaign would have to come from private enterprise.

The City could, however, help considerably by buying the land selected for clearance and rebuilding, Wise said. The Federal government would then contribute two-thirds of the purchase price, thus making the development much cheaper for private builders.

The minority statement of the Committee objected that the majority had failed to set forth a plan of action in its annual report. A report not containing plans for slum clearance and rebuilding is unrealistic," the minority said.

Harvard and M.I.T. are "capable and obligated to express the best ideals of citizenship and community" by leading in the re-design of Cambridge, the report added.