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(3) In attempting to further the drive for greater housing
accommodation the Housing Act, 1949, sought to encourage the
alteration, enlargement, improvement and modernisation of existing
houses and buildings. It has failed largely because the grant
clauses are permissive and no obligation is placed on owners to
make improvements nor on Local Authorities to make grants.
Considering the serious nature of the housing position and the
rigid control under the Rent Acts, it is remarkable that existing
powers given by the Housing Act, 1936, have not been utilised to
any great extent. Section 72 of this Act empowers Local Authorities
to purchase houses, repair and renovate them and to use them to
supplement housing resources. When suitable property is selected
the advantages are substantial; it is quicker and cheaper than
building new houses or flats and tenants are not compelled to move
further from their work or livelihood.
One of the greatest problems in housing today is the inability
of many on the housing lists to pay even the subsidised rent of postwar
council houses. It is in this field that area conversion could
prove most useful—while providing modern housing without undue
drain on rates or land, it would be an answer to the prevention of
slums.
At a time when the Minister is pressing for the derequisitioning
of houses the importance of increasing housing accommodation by
all available means is only further emphasised.

Although not an accurate method of assessing the housing
situation, the above figures are indicative of a disturbing feature,
i.e., that most newly married couples tend to live in 'rooms,'
often with parents. Psychologically this is unsound and frequently
leads to disharmony in the home.