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Improvement Grants
(Section 20 Housing Act, 1949as amended, by Section 16
of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954)
In certain circumstances an owner of property can obtain from the Borough
Council half the cost of improvements to a maximum of£400 per unit of accommodation,
Every such application for a grant is considered by the Public Health
Department in order that the Borough Council may be satisfied that these improvements
conform with the appropriate by laws and that the premises attain a
standard of fitness for habitation in accordance with the twelve conditions set
out in Circular 36/54 which are that the premises must-
(i) be in a good state of repair and substantially free from damp;
(ii) have each room properly lighted and ventillated;
(iii) have an adequate supply of wholesome water laid on inside the
dwelling;
(iv) be provided with efficient and adequate means of supplying hot
water for domestic purposes;
(v) have an internal or otherwise readily accessible water closet;
(vi) have a fixed bath (or shower) preferably in a separate room,
(vii) be provided with a sink or sinks and suitable arrangements for
the disposal of waste water;
(viii) have a proper drainage system;
(ix) be provided in each room with adequate points for gas or electric
lighting (where reasonably available);
(x) be provided with adequate facilities for heating;
(xi) have satisfactory facilities for storing, preparing and cooking
food.
(xii) have proper provision for the storage of fuel (where required)
During the year reports were made upon 53 applications for improvement
grants.
Loans for House Purchase
(Section 4 of Housing Act, 1949)
The Borough Council has embarked upon the policy of loaning money to persons
who desire to purchase their own homes The Council must be satisfied as to the
value of the premises and that such premises are or will be made in all respects
fit for human habitation All proposals are now considered from the latter point
of view by the Public Health Department.
I would say that work in connection with the issue of Certificates
of Disrepair Improvement Grants and Reports upon houses which residents desire
to purchase has been welcomed by the department It is work for which the
Sanitary Inspector is particularly skilled and well trained and the Department
is glad to participate in these new branches of housing which are so important
in relation to health.
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