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64a
HOUSING.
(1) GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AS TO HOUSING CONDITIONS,
including the standard of houses, the prevalent types, age, and
approximate number and general soundness of the several types—
any information as to prevailing forms of defects and of prevailing
bad conditions resulting from overcrowding.
Number of houses of all classes according to rate books - 17,471.
Approximately 80% are occupied by persons of the working
and middle classes and 20% by the higher class. Approximately
half of the working and middle class houses are of the
Terrace type, and most of these are upwards of 50 years old—
some in the vicinity of 100 years old. The remainder are mostly
of the semi-detached type. A considerable number of houses
require renovation. Dampness due to lack of proper dampproofing,
inadequate lighting and ventilation and general dilapidation
are the principal defects found.
(2) SUFFICIENCY OF SUPPLY OF HOUSES.
(a) Extent of shortage, if any, of houses available at reasonable
rents, and the measures taken or contemplated to meet any shortage.
There is still a shortage of houses available at rents within
the compass of the financial resources of those most in need of
them. There are approximately 1,500 applicants on the register
for houses on the Council's Estates. The number of houses
erected by the Council during the year is 126, making a total
of 667 since 1921. The Council's Quinquennial Housing Programme
includes the erection of a further 2,000 houses to meet
the present shortage.
(b) Information as to any important changes in population during
the period under review, or anticipated in the future.
The present population shows an increase of 61 % on the
1921 Census figures.
(c) Any special difficulties in the way of providing suitable sites
for new houses.
No special difficulties encountered.
(3) OVERCROWDING.
(a) Extent. The basis on which the estimate has been made
should be stated.
Approximately 13% of the working class houses are overcrowded.
(Basis of estimate: Out of 1,345 houses visited during
the year for the purpose of making up the 5 years housing
programme, 179 were estimated to be overcrowded).