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57
The plight of a family with children in their search for accommodation
is now literally lamentable. They have only to mention
the fact that there are children, and the door is closed on their enquiries.
There is a long list waiting for Council houses as they become
vacant, but it has been disappointment to those at the head of
the list as ejectments of decent people keep occurring in de-controlled
houses, or houses still controlled, where the house is required
for the children of the owner within the section of the Act.
In view of the fact that these people have no accommodation
their case must be regarded as taking precedence over those who
have a roof over their heads. In the meantime van dwellers increase
and are becoming a great difficulty in the district.
I am as I said last year constantly being appealed to, to assist
in getting a "Council House." In almost every case the applicants
are decent working class families with their own furniture and in
steady work, who can afford to pay a reasonable rent, some have
offered up to 20/- per week. These even if they can get rooms are
at the mercy of the profiteering landlord. It is melancholy work
listening to the tale of the many trampings of the mother of a
family to whom every door is shut directly she admits the existance
of a family.
I. Fitness of Houses.
(1) (a) General standard of Housing in the district:
As already stated, the general standard is unsatisfactory.
(b) General character of defects found to exist in
unfit houses:
Dampness due to want of proper damp-proofing, inadequate
lighting and ventilation and general
dilapidation are the main defects found.
(e) How far defects are due to lack of proper management
and supervision by owners;