View report page

82
SECTION D
Housing
Whenever the subject of housing is raised, attention is more
usually directed to and concentrated on the number and quality of
dwellings being provided by the various agencies concerned. In
the general scheme of public health, however, this most vital, albeit
complicated problem, is viewed from a slightly different angle in
that health, rather than actual provision of houses, is paramount
and it is perhaps unavoidable in these days of extreme shortage that
the psychological aspects of the situation should be overshadowed
by the emphasis laid on new housing and slum clearance.
That unsuitable housing conditions are responsible for many
of the smaller and some of the larger tragedies of life is beyond
doubt and it is inevitable that an unsympathetic approach to the
problem merely serves to aggravate an already serious situation.
Many details which on the surface and in themselves appear pointless
have a great relevance to the happiness and well-being of the
public at large.
Most people, more especially perhaps townsfolk, are very much
creatures of habit with their likes and dislikes and this is particularly
so with regard to housing. Many like their own district better
than any other and often prefer to make their day to day purchases
at the small shop " over the way " than travel to large and modern
emporiums so evident in new housing schemes. Some people choose
to form part of a large group while others prefer living in a small
community. Very close living is often the cause of mental illness
but so is loneliness enforced on people as a result of slum clearance
or other schemes which remove them from their normal surroundings.
It is evident that uncongenial housing conditions, in large
communities or small, whether from compulsory re-housing or from
choice, whether in new property or old, beget mental discomfort
often with deleterious results in the young and old alike.
Much of the supposed advantage of present day high density
housing achieved by building upwards appears to be illusory. It
seems paradoxical when, in order to house the maximum number
of people in a given area, local authorities, of necessity, are driven
to the construction of multi-storey dwellings and, having done so.
utilise the so-called " saved " space either as " prohibited " lawns
or for buildings considered essential for a full social and cultural
life.
Again, where people are constrained to take up " flat" life
difficulties in attaining a successful family life soon arise, for the
pursuit of hobbies and pastimes has mainly to be made away from