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HOUSING AND SANITARY
CIRCUMSTANCES
HOUSING
The Government White Paper "Houses—The Next Step" while
continuing a policy of new building, aims to stop the deterioration of
existing houses and restart clearance area procedure and replacement
of slum houses interrupted by the last world war. It further recommended
where necessary "patching up" those which cannot be demolished
immediately, and therefore will continue to be occupied
for some time. Improvement and conversion of structurally sound
houses which lack amenities or are too big for modern requirements
is also recommended. Houses may be divided into the following
classes:—
(i) The best—the large number of essentially sound houses,
many of which are in good condition and all of which could
be expected to be kept in good condition given a reasonable
rent. This in many cases must mean some increase in rent.
(ii) The worst—the slum house which should be demolished as
soon as possible but cannot be dealt with at once. Those
which have to remain occupied for some time must be
"patched up" in order to make them reasonably habitable.
(iii) Dilapidated houses—those unfit for human habitation but
which can be made fit at reasonable expense either by their
owners voluntarily or by the local authority under statutory
powers.
To give effect to these proposals the Housing Repairs and Rents
Act, 1954, came into operation on the 3rd August, 1954. The Act
is in three parts and contains provisions for clearance and redevelopment,
reconditioning of unfit houses and other amendments of the
Housing Acts. Also the Act provides for a repairs increase in respect
of controlled dwelling-houses and other miscellaneous and general
provisions. Circular 55/54 issued by the Minister of Housing and
Local Government drew attention to certain provisions of the Act
relating to slum property; and required all housing authorities to
submit for the Minister's approval, within a period of one year,
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