Jewish Community Federation Urges Suburban Areas to Open Housing to All Groups

The Jewish Community Federation has adopted a statement on housing encouraging suburban municipalities “to open up more fully to members of all racial, religious, national and economic groups.” In its unanimous vote, trustees also said that “in order to facilitate urgently needed new and innovative housing, both public and private for all people, communities should be encouraged to remove all artificial barriers which exist in current zoning and building regulations.” The statement on housing, announced by president Maurice Saltzman on the recommendation of Federation’s Community Relations Committee, also said that “a vital building, renewal and assistance program, fostered and fully funded by federal, state and local governments and adequately supported by private enterprise, must be accelerated throughout the metropolitan area.” The Federation statement updates a policy position on housing that was adopted in 1960. President Saltzman told trustees that the Community Relations Committee, headed by Robert Silverman, will offer recommendations and suggestions to implement the policy statement.