In 1949, Baltimore initiated the "Block One" program, which cleared a courtyard of 63 houses of fences and outdoor toilets, replacing the private property with an open paved public play area funded by code violations against building owners.
This would evolve to the Baltimore Plan, heavily sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders as a method of revitalizing neighborhoods through private enterprise rather than government housing programs.
In 1951, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. created the Mayor's Advisory Council on Housing Law Enforcement with Rouse as chair, including Guy Hollyday from the Mortgage Bankers Association.
[4] The process was to identify a slum, and hold an inspection by the housing department, sanitation, police, and fire and cite owners for violations.
[5] A special housing court would hear cases, and condemn the homes or offer a loan furnished by Hollyday and Rouses's Fight Blight Fund.