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28
In every case where the circumstances appear uncertain,
visits of clarification are paid by my staff and upon these, and in
some cases after personal visitation, my recommendations to the
Housing Committee are based.
My suggestions are founded necessarily on a relative and not
an absolute basis, but at least they represent an impartial assessment
of each case and I believe that, without such a procedure, the
position would be chaotic insofar as each case might to the layman
appear of equal and outstanding merit.
I must note the social aspect of certain applications submitted
for priority and do so as a matter of comment rather than an
opportunity for opinion.
It is evident that many couples living with their parents tend
to be unsettled and this position is normally aggravated by the
arrival of a family. If there is a room in the house, so small as to
be uncountable in our points system, it often appears to be the
inevitable accommodation for a young married couple and one is
told from time to time that the arrival of a child would in fact
result in their being forced completely to relinquish even the limited
accommodation provided.
Persons in lodgings are in fact often apparently better off than
those living with relatives. I know that young children by their
noise and natural exuberance are not ideal companions for elderly
people, especially when the grandparents may feel that time has
earned them relaxation from the burdens of too intimate family life,
but it should be emphasised that the disadvantages do not lie only
with the older ones since the child who is forced to lead a repressed
life for the sake of family peace is surely in no enviable plight.
It is all too easy to survey a housing position so dispassionately
as to smack of inhumanity and medically also it is obvious that
nervous upsets are encouraged by present circumstances. Nevertheless
in the ultimate the practice of mutual toleration and
forbearance will go far to palliate a state of affairs which the Council
is making every endeavour, by the provision of houses, to correct.
Week-end Houses.
Our proximity to London doubtless contributes to parts of our
area having been chosen as a form of rural retreat by persons
interested in securing a week-end domicile. The buildings selected
or erected vary greatly in type, some being very poor and dubiously
suitable even for occupation under so-called holiday conditions. In
due course the war has made many of these dwellings sought as
permanent houses with a consequent aggravation of the position.
A review of these places will be made so that in fairness to the
occupier of the dwellings and the amenities of the District the full
facts may be ascertained and considered.
Meanwhile one has repeated complaints from certain occupiers
as to the unsuitability of their premises and even owner/occupiers
are included in the number of complainants.