View report page

44
HOUSING.
General Housing Conditions in the District.
(1) The character of the houses are for the most part good
residential dwellings, and in parts of the district which might be
termed working class areas, the houses are, generally speaking,
well built and in good repair.
2. (a) Shortage of Houses.—There has been in this District as in
many others a considerable shortage of houses. It is impossible to
give an estimate of the number of new houses required at present,
but it would be approximately 150 to 200.
(b) Measures taken to meet the Shortage—The District Council
have prepared schemes for the provision of new houses under Section
1 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919. Under this Scheme
two plots of land have been acquired, one at Elmers End, and the
other at Shortlands.
Arrangements have been approved for the erection of 196 houses
on the Elmers End site, and these are now in process of erection.
A further scheme has been completed for the erection of an additional
154 houses on the Elmers End site and 54 houses on the Shortlands
site. The execution of this latter Scheme is being held over
for the present by Order of the Ministry of Health.
3. Changes in Population during the Year.—No change has
taken place in the general character of the population of the
District.
4. Overcrowding.—Some cases of overcrowding have come to
our notice during the year, but owing to the shortage of houses, no
Statutory measures have been taken. It is hoped that the new
houses as Elmers End will relieve this overcrowding.
Unhealthy Areas.—Parts 1 and 2 of the Housing Act, 1890. Nil
5. Bye-Laws relating to houses, tents, vans, etc., see pp. 14 to 16.