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Housing
I am indebted to the Housing Officer for the following observations and statistics
relevant to the housing situation.
"The main feature of this year's housing programme has been the progress made in
the New Brent Street Redevelopment Scheme. At the end of the year a further 99 flats
had been built and occupied in this area, and early completion of Phase Two of the
scheme is anticipated. The majority of the families allocated these flats were rehoused
from areas also scheduled for redevelopment in the near future, principally
Hermitage Lane and Granville Road, and in the latter area the demolition of the old
properties has started and rebuilding operations will be commenced in the early part
of 1961.
The Council has continued to provide for the rehousing of elderly persons and in
the year under review "Taylorsmead" comprising eleven bed-sitters specifically
designed to cater for the needs of elderly persons living alone, was built and
occupied. This most attractive building, fitted with central heating and modern
amenities, also includes quarters for a resident caretaker. Accommodation of a
similar type has also been provided by the purchase of a large house in the Central
Ward and converting the premises to give bed-sitters for seven elderly persons.
Another interesting aspect of the year's programme has been the modernisation of
the pre-war Bittacy Hill Plats. These 52 flats lacked modern facilities and to bring
them in keeping with present day standards the Council, with the aid of a government
grant, has provided each flat with a separate bathroom, hot water supply, modern type
kitchen and other necessary amenities, including an outdoor brick built fuel and
storage shed.
The Council has directly sponsored in the region of one hundred families for
rehousing in the New and Expanded Towns during the year, the majority of which were
included in the Housing Waiting List. By so doing the relief of unsuitable housing
conditions has been brought about or accommodation has been released for re-letting
to other families.
New applications for inclusion on the Housing Waiting List numbered 387 excluding
single elderly persons who are recorded separately. The Housing Waiting List
numbered 2,679 applications at the close of the year, a slight increase on last
year's figure.
Applicants assisted in the course of the year were as follows: -
(a) rehoused into permanent accommodation (pre-war) 32
" " " (post-war) 79
(b) transfers to resolve cases of overcrowding or under-
occupation on Council Estates etc. 314
At the close of the year the total number of dwellings controlled by the Council
was 4,326 including purchased properties acquired for the housing pool."
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