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This, in �ffect, rnearas that e�cistin;g dev�lopm�nts becom� a standard far evaluating proposed devel4pm�nt�. This has batk� at�vious and subtle ramifications. For instance, if a sub- division i� proposed that would he located relativeBy fax out frorn e�isting development, then FHA ��y� be vcry reluctant to approve it b� cause thcre are no comp�rable subdivisions to use as a standard. � �n this instanc� .F'HA znay have bc�n attempting to curtail subur�an sprawl; k�owever, onc� this subdivision became establi�hed through finaneing from VA and mortgage corripani�s , then FF�iA w�� willing to accept applications Erorn thi� a�-ea. In addition, other prQposed sub- divisions lacated in relatively close proximity were revi�ewed in terrrr�s of the recently approved one. C�nsequ��ntly, even thot.�gh a�trang case could be mac�e that both subdivisians were toa far out and poorly located, n�vertheless, the second compared favorably with its com�etitor and was approved, i�Vh�n Lhis effect is then multiplied as additional sub- ditrisions are proposed �nd approvec' hy FHA, it is understandabl� h�w this process furthers suburban sprawl. The consumer had littl� to choose from if he wanted a house during the early part of the 1950's. Since man}r of the people who did buy homes in tract developments had little or no capital, they had almost no bar- gaining positian an the market. The major attraction to many of the tract developments was, and remains, the financing terms available as a result of the FHA and VA pxograms. The consum�r during the early part of the past decade, primarily because of th� need for housing accorr�modation and more s�ace in the house, was willing t� accept houses that woulc� meet his minimurn space requirements. Si nificant.l , none of tl7e thre.� key decision rnaking groups seemed particu arly con- cerned about ublic�acil�ties, Lhe ener�l loc�tion of the subdivision, an the � ree o�men�ties. gain, ihis is particular y true o. the tract eveloper who in or er to keep his house price down to the bare minimum was understandably reluctant to add such facilities or utilities which wciuld increase the cost of the house and reduG� his market. Since the I ende r's evaluation of prope rty and the subdivis ions vvas a rathe r s elf - deieating vicious circle from the standpoint of raising standards, ai best � was a neutra� factor. More typically, it was actually an encourage- ment to the builder to produce what he had produc�d before� The con- sumer did not help raise the quality to any extent either. His neeci for more housing space and his strong inclination for a single detached house exerted little, if any, individual influence �ver the builder in terms of the ty�e �of pac �Cag e the builde r produc �d. Only ove r a long pe riod of iiyne or in a strong buyers rnarket does the consumer seean to exert much influence. Everyone's concern was primaxily involved in the hous� itself with ir�cidental concern over t�he larger environment. Only after a substantial number of consumers settled in many of these new suUurban areas, were some of the basic facilities provided. The vast majority of these people were in the child bearing and child rearing phase of life and so, understandably, schools had first priority. It is only recently in some �f the "maturing" subuxbs which had their big growth in the early and middle 1950's have the people turred to some of their other nP�d�, Many of the people in tract developments are �here 32