"L. E. Modesitt - A House By Any Other Name" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

"That would be Mr. Gouger. I'll see if he's available."

Herman Gouger was slight and blond, with a wispy mustache and a lisp.

"What did you want to know, Dr. Graylin?"

George did not say, "Call me George."

"I'd like a general run out on low cost housing, Federal sponsored and commercial."

"Well, as I am sure you know, Dr. Graylin, there is a substantial lack of new and approved techniques in
the low cost housing market. Because of this dearth of innovation, we have been forced to concentrate
the majority of our resources on the multifamily unit.

"Unfortunately, personal and tenant satisfaction are not maximized in such a situation. This has effected
higher than desired insurance rates on the mortgage protection for the constructing agencies and a more
rapid trend toward obsolescence."

George smiled. "Translated loosely, people don't like government subsidized apartments and are tearing
them up."

"Permanence in construction has been a definite and persistent problem," admitted Gouger. "What about
new techniques?" "With the notable exception of Houseman Enterprises, progress has been less than
exceptional in that particular line of endeavor."

How can he keep a straight face, wondered George.

"Who runs this Houseman Enterprises?"

"A black chap who" utilizes a less labor intensive method of prefabricating modular construction for
employment in lower income housing. He has set up several companies to promote his products and his
developments."

George remained disinterestedly intent.

"Mr. Houseman remains an enigma to the Federal Housing Ad ministration in that he never consulted
with us on the availability of Federal funding."

"Why?" queried George.

"I presume that not involving the Government in his sundry enterprises enabled him to maximize profits,
minimize indecision, and circumvent difficulties inherent in low income housing regulations. Technically, he
has no connection with subsidized housing, although..."

"Although?" pursued George. "Although the product of his efforts is less expensive and more desirable
than any of the Government projects."

"He builds a better, bigger, cheaper house?"

"Substantially, and the process allows one to select a wide variety `of extremely variable color schemes,