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241
HOUSING
It is probable that, collectively, unsuitable housing conditions
form the greatest single cause of unhappiness in the community.
Preventive health services are inextricably involved in housing
problems for the provision of houses of good standards is a prerequisite
for the elimination of disease, mental and physical, and
as a basis for the maintenance of a happy and contented existence.
It is unfortunate but true that housing is too emotive and
politically sensitive a subject to encourage pure rational thought
and it is perhaps even more regrettable that wise housing policies
are sometimes influenced by such emotional factors.
A more affluent society will possess more cars and will therefore
call for more living space around its homes and this will give rise
to pressures for lower rather than higher population densities.
There will be a tendency for the development of neat water-tight
compartments for pedestrians, cars, shopping centres, schools, etc.,
excellent in concept no doubt but very restrictive socially.
Certainly, social aspects are assuming greater significance than
hitherto in housing matters and whether local authorities should
concern themselves with people well able to fend for themselves
is now becoming questionable. Meanwhile, although much
stronger support is being given to the theory that housing subsidies
should be directed towards people and families rather than
to properties, this would undoubtedly have far-reaching effects
upon housing revenue accounts.
Very naturally, Councils' housing departments tend to become
preoccupied with their own properties and waiting lists and thereby
fail to concern themselves with the wider issues of the housing
problem where a real need for full comprehensive advice and
counsel exists. Furthermore, they often remain unaware of or are
unable to assist with those housing problems which do not reach
their enquiry counters.
Campaigns initiated by Housing Societies and Associations,
valuable though they may be, are circumscribed by lack of funds,
shortage of building land, limited full-time staff and sometimes
inadequate basic factual information of the overall situation.
Is it ever possible for a fair assessment of the housing problem
to be given at any one time by any one authority? I would think
not. There are too many facets, to many imponderables and too
many agencies involved for any dependable conclusions to be
reached without which successful future action is equivocal.