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(e) To what extent would the cost of repairs necessary to
restore the house to a reasonable state of fitness, and to
render unnecessary any further major repairs for a period
of from 10 to 15 years, compare with the cost of demolition
and consequential works of weatherproofing and shoring
of party walls, levelling site and other measures. It may
be found that it would cost almost as much to pull the
house down as to repair it.
In arriving at a decision as to whether a structurally sound
building should be retained for housing purposes, the prime consideration
is the urgency of the housing need in the area. How does
the cost of acquisition and renovation compare with the cost of
providing equivalent accommodation in terms of new building—
which may be from £1,500 to £2,000 per family unit at the present
time ? When judged from this point of view, expenditure which
may be held to be clearly unreasonable in relation to the investment
value of the property within the terms of Section 9 assumes quite
a different aspect. In certain circumstances it may be considered a
reasonable proposition to reinstate an existing building which has
all the essential services intact and which is capable, without undue
expenditure, of providing a reasonable home for one or more
families until sufficient new houses are available.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
Effect of War Damage Repairs.
The present housing conditions in the Borough would
undoubtedly be much worse but for the incidence of War Damage
and subsequent repair of the properties. The difficult task of the
War Damage Commission in trying to separate inherent decay and
dilapidation from defects due to War Damage (direct and consequential)
has undoubtely lengthened the life of a large number of
houses renovated by the execution of War Damage repairs. When the
War Damage subsidy ends, as it must very soon, economic difficulties
associated with the enforcement of essential repairs to dwelling
houses will become more pronounced than at present, and it is
disquieting to reflect on the consequences.
Responsibility of Public Health Committee.
It is in the face of the anomolous situation described in this
Report that the Public Health Committee is endeavouring to
discharge the statutory functions, under the Housing and Public