Marley Homes – Frederiksted, St. Croix VI

Description

“Marley Homes at Frederiksted, St. Croix Island. An undeveloped plot of 17 acres dedicated by the municipality is the site of this development. A series of 1-story row houses provide 70 rooms arranged in 38 family-dwelling units. The structures cover 2 ½ percent of the site area.”

“By arrangement with the United States Housing Authority, the administration of the three low-cost housing projects erected in the Virgin Islands by the PWA Housing Division has been turned over to the government of the Virgin Islands. This arrangement has made it unnecessary to establish an expensive management organization and has therefore permitted the establishment and maintenance of low rentals at these projects.

Both housing projects in St. Croix have been fully occupied almost from the date when they were made available for occupancy. Of the 58 units in the Charlotte Amalie project there are as yet only 41 occupied. The organization of a community club at this project has been instrumental in arousing greater interest and understanding on the part of prospective tenants. It is anticipated that all of the units of the St. Thomas project will soon be occupied.

The local housing advisory committee in each island has maintained an active interest in these projects and has made numerous valuable suggestions for their better management, and for physical improvements which have proven to be necessary since these units have been occupied. It is hoped that arrangements can be made whereby a greater proportion of rental income can be made available than is now the case to make needed improvements. The office of the General Counsel of the United States Housing Authority has cooperated generously in preparing drafts of legislation for enactment by the municipal councils of the Virgin Islands to create local housing authorities. These measures have been introduced in the local legislatures and are now under consideration. If they are enacted, they will permit the construction of additional low-cost housing to replace low-standard, unsafe, and insanitary dwellings.”