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34
also made manifest, on examination of the incomes as shown on the
application forms. For example:—
Per week.
There are 125 applicants with incomes ranging from 30s. to 40s.
„ 596 ,, ,, ,, ,, 40s. to 60s.
„ 648 ,, „ ,, ,, 60s.to 70s.
„ 516 ,, ,, ,, ,, 70s. to 80s.
"The applicants analysed in this connection also show the
number in family to be supported on the income given. Eight in
family is quite a frequent number. It would appear obvious,
therefore, that cheaper rents are very desirable if a decent standard
of living is to be maintained. If a minimum of 60s. per week be
taken as an average wage, then 25 per cent, of that income is
required to pay the prevailing rent, of a five-roomed Council house.
To support a family of eight on the balance is a matter which would
appear to require the most careful management of a buying genius.
"Another faot that has been noted is the demand for one or two
bed-roomed type houses or flats. Such types are required by: —
(1) Ageing couples.
(2) Ageing persons.
(3) Married couples with one child or two children of the
same sex.
"It has been the practice of the Department to keep records
of applications received from our tenants who for various reasons
appear to require transfer to larger or smaller houses. Such
requests are most carefully scrutinised, and where possible a transfer
is effected so long as the Council are not involved in any expense
whatever, and providing the tenants are mutually agreed to the
conditions laid down. For example:—
"Tenants allocated houses seven or eight years ago may in one
ease be a large adult family allotted a five-roomed house, and in
another case, a small, young family allotted a three-roomed house.
In the former case the children have grown up and some of them
made homes of their own elsewhere. In the latter case the family
have outgrown their surroundings and require segregation of the
sexes. A mutual transfer is arranged. Variations of this principle
are obvious, and are carried out wherever possible, even to
the extent of co-operation with other landlords.
1930 Act—Slum Clearance.
"The Billet Road area has, of course, already been cleared and
the tenants rehoused. In the Wood Street area, Jefferies Square,
Hilton Grove and Spring Gardens, these tenants have been rehoused