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34
" This decision was no doubt made in the best interests
of all parties, it being realised that in all probability the
present register of applicants might become redundant as a
result of due consideration being given to the survey under
the 1935 Housing Act. The formation of a waiting list from
the survey might possibly replace the existing Housing
Register, and the persons appearing on such waiting list
would then be re-housed on such lines as have proved to be
equitable and successful from past experience.
" Throughout the year there was ample evidence, from
enquiries made at the Estate Office, of the demand for houses
to let. A very large demand is evident, too, for lower rents,
even from the Council tenants themselves. Such demands
were received not only from the lower-paid wage-earner or
casual worker, but also from persons whose incomes wrere
more constant. Even in the latter instance, enquiries show
that the rent required is out of all proportion to the income
available. This is particularly noticeable in the case of large
families where there may be only one wage-earner. In
Council houses it is also obvious that in many instances the
financial resources available are insufficient to pay even the
subsidised rent.
"In order to meet this difficulty in some measure, an
experiment was instituted during the year 1935 to operate a
differential renting scheme on a small scale. The twenty
houses built under the 1930 Housing Act for re-housing
tenants from clearance areas appeared to be the appropriate
houses to inaugurate the scheme. As a result, ten per cent,
of the tenants pay rates only. It has thus been possible to
provide adequate accommodation for as little as 2/2 per week
for the appropriate type of tenant. Such rent relief, Of
course, is granted in accordance with the provisions of the
1930 Housing Act, and is only granted to "those who need
it, and only for so long as they need it."
"A still further step was taken in providing assistance
in urgent necessitous cases by supplying such necessarv
furniture as beds, bedding, etc., for which the tenants make
small weekly payments included in the rent. The reaction
of the tenants concerned and their appreciation is evidenced
by their regular weekly payments.
"A still further extension of the scheme is being explored
with a view to submission for consideration by the
Housing Committee.