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127
From other tabulations analysing the possibility of
improvement, the following figures have been extracted.
Dwellings requiring internal water closet only 650
" " bath only 588
" " bath and internal water
closet 1512
2750
From the above it is assumed that there are some 2900 dwellings
lacking in one or more of the standard amenities, 2750 of which are
probably capable of improvement,
The Present Situation,,
Improvement grants have been given throughout the Borough
since their introduction in 1949 and the mandatory Standard Grant
Scheme introduced in 1959. One thousand and twenty-five dwellings
have been improved and grants paid.
The Future.
It is estimated that nearly all of the 2750 dwellings referred
to earlier as lacking in amenities are capable of improvement at
least to the 5 point standard and that because of rising costs the
majority of such work is likely to be carried out with grant
assistance.
Publicity,
Each house improved and each grant made must bring a limited
amount of publicity and in 1966 the Council and the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government staged a week of publicity including
the use of the Ministry's Mobile Exhibition, This form of
encouragement will continue.
Arrangements have been made to publicise improvement grants in
correspondence to residents in smoke control areas now being
surveyed. The card is designed to show the amenities present and
lacking in a house, whether the occupier is a tenant or owner and
whether the occupier is interested in discussing the improvement of
the dwelling with the aid of a grant. Those tenants and owners
who express an interest will be visited and encouraged to improve
their homes.