Alley Dwelling Authority facts for kids

The Alley Dwelling Authority (ADA) was a special government program in Washington, D.C. It was created to help improve living conditions in the city's many alleys. During the 1800s, these alleys became very crowded. Many people lived in small spaces, and poverty was a big problem. This was especially true in an area called Foggy Bottom. For example, in 1822, Foggy Bottom had about 40 households. By 1860, this number jumped to around 175 households. This huge growth meant more people needed places to live. The ADA stepped in to try and fix these old, rundown homes.

What the ADA Did

The ADA's main job was to check homes and streets. They wanted to see if places were safe and healthy to live in. If an area needed fixing, the ADA would write down the reasons. These reasons might include too many people in one home. Sometimes, the outside of a building looked very old and worn out.

This paperwork would then go to lawmakers for approval. Important people like Eleanor Roosevelt were part of this process. Once approved, the ADA would give people living in these homes a few months to find a new place. By July 1, 1944, all homes in Foggy Bottom were empty. Plans were ready for new construction.

The goal was to create bigger, better homes. This would allow owners to charge more for rent. At the time, there were many jobs available. This made people willing to pay more for good housing. Monthly rent usually cost between $17 and $37. Newer homes often had modern features. These included running water, gas heaters, and cooling systems. While many white residents had more wealth, Black residents were also earning more due to new jobs.

How the ADA's Actions Changed Things

To improve living standards, the ADA often tore down entire alleys. They replaced old houses with newer, better ones. The money for these new homes came from the United States Housing Authority. They provided large loans for these projects.

However, when houses were torn down, the people living there had nowhere to go. Of the first five projects completed, four were for African American families. The ADA hoped these new homes would lower crime and death rates.

But there was also a big challenge. Some white residents did not want Black residents living near them. The ADA had to deal with many difficult moral and legal issues. They had to find ways to move people out of their homes.

Black Residents and Housing

The number of Black residents in D.C. alleys was highest in the late 1800s. However, they often could not afford good housing. They needed more space to live comfortably. But because housing was limited, living conditions were often very crowded. This was especially true in small apartments. At the same time, it was important for them to live close to their jobs in D.C.

John Ihlder was a supporter of public housing. He was an executive officer for the ADA. He worked on developing alley housing. He communicated with government officials like Dr. William T. Grady. They discussed places like St. Mary's Court apartment. This building was specifically for Black residents.

Some white residents wanted Black people to move out of the D.C. area completely. They thought places like St. Mary's Court should be for white people. This led to rules about who could live in these apartments. These rules often forced Black residents to live in the outskirts of town. For example, rules might say you had to work in the West End. Or, they might prefer families over single people.

Ihlder noted that a few years before 1939, most alley homes were occupied by African Americans. About five to six thousand African Americans paid low rent in these alley homes. The government said that moving Black residents was to improve their living conditions. They planned to add indoor plumbing and make homes better. They made Black families move to temporary low-income homes for a few months. But when these families returned, they often could not afford the improved homes. This was because the rent was now higher due to the upgrades.

Not all government officials wanted to push Black residents out. Eleanor Roosevelt was a strong supporter of Black families staying in these alleys.

Eleanor Roosevelt's Role

Eleanor Roosevelt was a big supporter of the Washington Housing Authority. She worked hard to end unfair treatment and discrimination. As the head of a committee, she made helping alley dwellers a top priority. On June 12, 1934, the District of Columbia Alley Dwelling Act was passed. This law created the Washington Housing Authority as its own agency. The government wanted to end the poor living conditions in alleys. This effort was part of a larger government plan called the New Deal.

ADA and Snow's Court

The ADA had a big impact on alley development, especially in Foggy Bottom. Snow's Court, an alley in Foggy Bottom, saw some of the biggest changes. The ADA successfully fixed the terrible living conditions there. They also solved the problems caused by too many people living in small spaces. Because of the ADA's work, Snow's Court today is mostly home to middle and upper-class families.