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SECTION D.
HOUSING.
During the war years when housing repairs were at a
standstill, there naturally accumulated a vast amount of
maintenance work. The local authority's task is not only
that of re-housing but also of seeing that private properties
are kept in a reasonable state of repair. The latter task
devolves upon the Public Health Department, and is a
complex one, owing to the shortage of labour and materials
in the post-war era. When necessary the local authority
has to enforce statutory action where nuisances and
defects exist.
The Council has adopted a rent rebate scheme by means
of which, where necessary, rebates from the normal rents
are allowed to Council tenants to ensure that the amount
paid by them for rent and rates does not exceed 25% of
the tenants' gross weekly income (excluding family allowances)
provided that the foregoing sum shall be—
(1) reduced, by 2/- per week for each child entitled to a
family allowance and/or
(2) increased by 2/6d. per week for each child in
ment up to 18 years of age and 5/- per week for each
child above 18 years old and for each adult (other
than the tenants) living in the house.
The effect of this progressive piece of legislation is to help
to ensure that there is sufficient residual income, after
paying rent and rates, to keep the family adequately fed and
clothed.
Another fact worth recording is that the Council gives
priority points for housing in cases where there are patients
suffering from active tuberculosis in the home.
The following is a resume of the work carried out in
1948:—
Number of premises inspected 1,823
Number of visits in connection therewith 8,028
Number of premises where defects were found 1,693
Number of premises rendered fit as result of informal
action 1,427
Number of premises rendered fit as result of formal
action 47
No clearance areas, demolition orders, or individually
unfit houses were declared during the year.
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