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on the financial skin of t�eir teeth an�i, car►s�quent'y, resisted any <br />f.�rther financial commitrnentv if they can xeasonably avoid them. <br />Schools are the one thin�, howeve�-, ihaG pec�ple g�nerally seemed read� <br />and willing to contribute to heavily. <br />�Pi majo� xnis�ing ingredient which could possibly have reduced the <br />ma�ni�tude of the suburbar problems vvas adequate development capital. <br />Basic facilities, such� aa, wat�r �nd sew�age systems, well developed <br />sGhool syst�ms, good trans�ortation systems , as well a� o�her desirable <br />features such as parks, all require initia�lly large investments. These <br />inv�stments, of course, are to be pdid for over several decades. I3i�t <br />�1k the initial stage of urbanization, tr,�ere are too few people to findnce <br />these large capital outlay�. For exan-�pl�e, a number of builders sttated <br />they v�vould be willing to put in water a.nd sewage systerris but they simply <br />lack the financial� capital to do so. '��ey also stated that they find i� <br />difficult to get aciequate financing from the lendirig institutions except' a�t <br />costly rates. The lenders are reluctan�t to loan on ventures that are <br />questionable financially. Presumably, many of t�hem still r�member <br />the Iate 1920's when vast acreages in ��nany rnetropolitan areas were <br />serviced with water and sewage systems, curb and gutter, and l�ard <br />surface strcets but d:3 not develop because of over-:-ubdivision and <br />economic depression in the thirties. <br />The shorta e of develo ment ca <br />o the ma'or rob ems in brin in <br />tal which prevails today Presents one <br />� about more cohereiit and orderl <br />urban deve o ment. Un ortunat�ly, when the time comes that people� <br />are�inancia ly a�e to make improvements in their lar�er environm��nt, <br />th�y find themselves with few real alternati�res. Frequently, xt is v�ery <br />expensive to acquire land for school�, parks, �nd oth�r public facilities, <br />and often the availa����.e sites are poorly located. It is almost impossible <br />t� bring about mor� �ohesive and integrated devel.opment. At best, a <br />ca�mmunity cari only hope ta solve its most pressing Problems. <br />r'inancin ir� Urban Renewal A reas � A problem of capital <br />exists in the ol er areas o the central cities. However, <br />need for development capital, ;�>eople i� these ai•eas ne�d <br />rehab�litation leans. Inadequate financine for these need <br />been a significant factor in £urther�.ng thE <br />cities. Without capltal on terms people <br />areas will continue to decline. <br />�hortages also <br />insl.ead of a <br />moxtga�e and <br />s has_app� rentl� <br />ecline of many areas o <br />the <br />can afford, these and �other <br />The major rPason why lenders (including FHA and VA) are reluctant to <br />loan in blighted and deteriorating areas is obvious. However, the fact <br />that they are reluctant has the unfortunate result of helping to bring <br />about the results which they predict. Their action has the character of <br />a self-fulfilling prophecy. This attitude of the lenders concerning <br />investments in old�r areas extends beyond the redevelopment areas into <br />the rehabilitation areas and some conserva�ion areas. There is em- <br />pirical evidence to Yndicate that many lenders either do not make loans <br />or do so at a prerriium in those areas designated as redevelopment, <br />rehabilitation, partial rehabilitation, and priority conservation. In <br />33 <br />