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and Wales nearly 900,000 war damaged houses had been repaired and 867,598 new homes
provided. With the output of dwellings by new buildings firmly established, it was intended
that encouragement should be given to modernising existing accommodation. Estimates
indicated that something like one-third of the houses in England and Wales were over 65
years old and most of these lacked the amenities regarded today as essential. The Housing
Act, 1949, empowered local authorities to make grants to assist owners to modernise their
houses, and to obtain assistance in modernising their own houses where required. Similar
powers, with regard to certain rural houses, were already contained in the Housing (Rural
Workers) Acts, 1926-31. The Standards of Fitness for Habitation Sub-Committee of the
Central Housing Advisory Committee had, in 1946, recommended a standard for a
'satisfactory house' which was more severe than their definition of a ' fit house ' and this
was adopted for a dwelling in respect of which assistance could be given. In order to be
eligible for grant the expenses estimated to be incurred to provide a satisfactory house
must fall within certain limits (then £100 and £600, but amended subsequently) and the
amount of the grant could be up to half of the sum expended on approved works,
excluding works of repair unless occasioned by the improvement. In London (excluding
the City of London) both the London County Council and the councils of the metropolitan
boroughs had concurrent powers. The response from persons having control of property
was less than was hoped for and the 1949 Act was amended by the Housing Repairs and
Rents Act, 1954, and again by the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1958, with the object
of making the grants more attractive. Unfortunately the response, when compared with
the need, continued to be disappointing and in the House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959,
a simpler form of' standard 'grant was introduced. Details of the two kinds of grant now
available are summarized briefly.
Standard grants—These grants must be made by the local authority if certain simple
conditions are satisfied. The grant, up to a maximum of £155, is half the cost of installing
five basic improvements—a bath (or shower), a wash-hand basin, a water closet, a hot
water system and a food store.
Discretionary grants—These grants are made at the local authority's discretion and are
designed to cover extensive works of improvement to houses and conversion of large
houses into flats. The expenses must fall within the limits of £100 and £800 for each
dwelling and up to half the estimated approved expenses rank for grant. The property
must normally have a life of 30 years after improvement, but this period may be reduced to
15 years if the local authority in all the circumstances considers it expedient, which is
usual. After improvement houses must be in a good state of repair and substantially free
from damp, have each room properly lighted and ventilated, have an adequate supply of
wholesome water laid on inside the dwelling, be provided with efficient and adequate
means of supplying hot water for domestic purposes, have an internal or otherwise readily
accessible water closet, have a fixed bath or shower in a separate room, be provided with a
sink or sinks and with suitable arrangements for the disposal of waste water, have a proper
drainage system, be provided in each room with adequate points for gas or electric lighting
(where reasonably available), be provided with adequate facilities for heating, have satisfactory
facilities for storing, preparing and cooking food, and have proper provision for
the storage of fuel, where required.
The number of grants made in the period since the Housing Act, 1949, came into operation
to the end of 1959 are shown below:
Discretionary grants— Total grants
England and Wales 205,804
London—
Metropolitan borough councils 3,842
London County Council 385
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