Selection Criteria

The government had worked hard on planning this idealistic community and the selection process for the tenants was, consequently very rigorous and exclusive. The Farm Security Administration (FSA) hired a staff of thirty to interview and select residents from the over 5,700 families who applied to live in 885 units that were available (Klaus, 22). The town was planned not only physically and structurally, but socially. Careful thought was placed on the "types" of people that would make Greenbelt a very suitable and comfortable place to live. All of the quotas and criteria created by the Farm Security Administration were based on the white population of Washington, D.C. The criteria used show racial bias that Eighty percent of the families were from Washington, D.C. and ten percent from Maryland and Virginia. Heads of families had to be over twenty-one years old. Families that had children were desirable but not required. Fifty eight percent of families had no children, twenty one percent had one child, fifteen and one half percent had two children, five percent had three children, and two and one half percent had four children. There were income requirements that ranged from $750 to $2270 per year depending on size of family. (Form, 58).

Families with more than six members could not be permitted because of the small size of the units. Each residence had a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, and a bath, as well as one to three bedrooms. Families were placed in the homes corresponding to their incomes and their family size. There were certain types of housing that required a minimum level of income.

(Knepper, 25).

While visiting the family, the interviewer had to determine if the family needed housing and the rental, credit and financial history of the family. This process was to ensure the stability of the family and that they would stay in the Greenbelt community. The family's health was also explored. This aspect of the family was investigated so as to demonstrate relative freedom from such disabilities that would make doubtful their ability to care for the economic and social requirements involved in residence in the community" (Form, 59).

Besides stability, other characteristics were selected for such as previous experience in gardening, which was considered an asset to the community. It was thought to portray the family's values concerning appearance and standard of living. Along with gardening, the family should have kept an interest in pursuing their hobbies and talents. They also should possess a capacity to get along well with others and adapt to different situations. The overall response to the interview must indicate that the family possessed an interest in the project and have "well integrated family group, normal, home loving, and self-respecting" (Knepper, 26). The families were scored by the interviewer on a chart and the highest scorers were the most probable tenants.

In 1938, after a reduction in the interviewing staff, the home interview was eliminated from criteria for acceptance in Greenbelt. However, on the application the criteria and standards still remained; income, size of family, credit data, age, and income stability.