THE ROLE OF THE UNION MEMBER IN REGARD TO HOUSING PROBLEMS WAS PRESENTED. DESPITE THE CLAIMS OF EXPERTS, AN INDIVIDUAL CANNOT AFFORD A HOUSE COSTING THREE TIMES HIS ANNUAL INCOME, THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE HE CAN BUY A NEW, STANDARD HOUSE WITH THREE BEDROOMS FOR $7,680. THEREFORE, BECAUSE NEW HOUSES ARE SO EXPENSIVE, MOST PEOPLE LIVE IN SECONDHAND DWELLINGS. AN ANSWER TO THE HOUSING PROBLEM OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IS LOW-RENT PUBLIC HOUSING, USUALLY BUILT WITH FEDERAL AID, BUT SLUMS ARE INCREASING FASTER THAN THE SUPPLY OF THIS HOUSING. LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES ARE RUN BY BOARDS OF FIVE OR SIX COMMISSIONERS, GENERALLY APPOINTED BY MAYORS. THE COMMISSIONERS MAKE ALL MAJOR DECISIONS REGARDING HOUSING. TO GAIN NEEDED FACILITIES, LOCAL UNIONS SHOULD BE REPRESENTED ON EVERY LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY. ONE WAY TO PROVIDE DECENT HOUSING FOR FAMILIES UPROOTED BY SLUM CLEARANCE IS TO BUILD LOW-RENT HOUSING AND MIDDLE-INCOME HOUSING. THE HOUSING SHOULD GO ON VACANT OR SEMIVACANT LAND AND SHOULD BE BUILT BEFORE THE SLUMS ARE TORN DOWN. PLANNING COMMISSIONS SHOULD DEAL WITH HOUSING FACILITIES, BUT THEY ARE IMPEDED BY LACK OF IMAGINATION, LACK OF STAFF, LACK OF PLANS, AND LACK OF MONEY TO CARRY OUT PLANS. TO HELP DEVELOP THE BEST PLANS AND TO SEE THAT BUILDING CODES ARE ENFORCED, LOCAL UNIONS SHOULD ORGANIZE AND ASSERT POWER AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.