William L. Slayton, urban renewal commissioner, in an order made public today, warned private housing developers in Federally aided urban renewal projects, that they must now comply with state and local laws that prohibit racial and religious discrimination.
The commissioner notified 539 local public agencies involved in urban renewal that all contracts with private developers must include the following clause: “The redeveloper will comply with all state and local laws, in effect from time to time, prohibiting discrimination or segregation by reason of race, religion, color, or national origin in the sale, lease or occupancy of the property.”
The new clause, Mr. Slayton declared, would be binding on both the redeveloper and future owners of property. Further, the Urban Renewal Administration would not approve projects with restrictive racial covenants, the commissioner warned.
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