FLORIDA: Loosening the Collar

Lakeland, Fla. (pop. 40,500) is like many U.S. cities that have sizable (9,000) Negro populations: white neighborhoods surround the Negro communities, resist attempts of Negroes to find more room for homes. Last week both Negroes and whites in Lakeland were working out a solution to the "white collar" that will give the Negroes new room to grow. Twenty-seven white families, all home owners in the small northside subdivision of Pinehurst Courts, agreed to sell or rent their homes to Negroes.

The idea began with Dan G. Allen, a limerock dealer, who gradually became aware that "the colored population was moving our way. They have to have some place to go." Allen discussed the problem last month with neighbors and city officials, got the cooperation of Negro leaders and of Real Estate Broker Kenneth Harris, who handled all the sales contracts (average selling price: $9,500) at a reduced commission. Better yet, the Negroes have good prospects for expansion: Pinehurst Courts faces onto a 300-acre undeveloped tract, ready for building.