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130
ance is determined by the number of new dwellings a local
authority is able to provide. Available manpower resources in
the building trade are insufficient to rebuild our "twilight" areas
in the near future and there is no shadow of doubt that altogether,
the building industry is set a tremendous task and it will be subject
to great strain in attempting to satisfy the need for more houses,
schools, colleges, hospitals and power stations, etc. Re-developing
all suitable sites is as much as the building industry can cope with
for the next decade at least. To forestall any slowing down or
hiatus in the provision of further housing accommodation perhaps
local authorities could, with advantage, review their slum clearance
schemes. Some properties may have been included in schemes on
the basis that renovation or conversion would have only a limited
life of say 20 years and. by today's standards, this might have
been considered unsound financially. Productivity is rising and
it may well be practical in these days of urgency to countenance
such expenditure with a view to writing it off within a few years,
e.g., it is now taken for granted that a motor car produced today
will be written off in a few years' time. Preserving some properties
which, on paper at least, are doomed for demolition will
give local authorites vital breathing space. Much of the scorn
poured on Victorian building is "fashion" stimulated but many
an excellent conversion has been made from such a property to
enable it to serve the community still further.
Housing subsidies tend to be a subject of intense social and
political controversy and whether housing is to be regarded as a
social service or a commercial proposition is today's burning and
undecided question. Fortunately, perhaps, such matters are not
the concern of public health departments but as finance is certain
to be a key factor in the country's immediate future housing
policy, some settlement is essential if the existing confusion and
indecision is to be avoided. Today, housing need is not always
identical with financial position but, if it is considered the duty
for a local authority to bear the major responsibility for satisfying
the housing needs of families at all income levels, then there are
sensible and just reasons why subsidies should be reserved for
those families which, as a result of lack of earning capacity, old
age or other handicaps are unable to afford economic rents.
Allocation of housing would be fairer and would continue on a
sounder basis. Moreover, in the long run, this would mean more
houses and isn't this really what is needed?
Legislation— The Housing Act, 1964.—Effective from
16th August, 1964, this Act is designed to assist housing societies
to provide housing accommodation and confers on local authorities
the powers and duties to compel the carrying out of works for