Straus holds off housing requests. Washington, D.C., Nov. 3. Nathan Straus of New York, who took over the United States Housing Authority today, served notice on states and municipalities that the new agency cannot receive applications for new projects under the new $550,000,000 housing and slum clearance program for at least two months, Mr. Straus outlined the major objectives of the new Housing Administration at his first press conference. 11/3/37