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(16)
HOUSING,
GENERAL HOUSING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
There continues to be a great dearth of housing accommodation
in the distriet despite the Councils many activities in this
direction. The extent of the shortage is estimated at between
250 and 300 houses of the cottage and small villa type.
The Council ereoted 52 cottages before the War. This has been
followed up since the war by 93 new buildings and 8 existing cottages
reconstructed under the Addison Scheme; 23 cottages under the
Chamberlain Act; 18 Barracks Flats obtained on lease from the War
Office and 42 Tenant Purohase Houses.
An estate of 22½ acres has been purchased for additional houses,
and a oontract for 111 cottages has been let. These will be
completed in batches during the next 18 months. Loans totalling
approximately £30,000 have been made under the Small Dwellings
Acquisition Act, and a Loan of £12,000 under the Housing Act, 1925
for 21 houseB on similar lines to the Council's tenant purohase scheme.
This scheme is being run by a private gentleman, who is disposing of
the houses at cost price and is not requiring the tenant purohaser
to put down any deposit.
OVERCROWDING.
The dearth of housing accommodation is responsible for a certain
amount of overcrowding amongst the poorer classes but only in about 7
cases can this be said to be serious. These cases are receiving
the consideration of the Council and no doubt when the first batoh
of houses at present under construction is completed, certain of the
cases will be dealt with. The Council are erecting a number of small
two bedroomed cottages the rents of whioh it is hoped will be within
the means of these persons.