HOUSING SCHEME AT LIVERPOOL

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21987, 11 January 1937, Page 4

HOUSING SCHEME AT LIVERPOOL

, _♦ | REPORT BY MR NASH (PRBBS ASSOCIATJO* TBMtGBAM.) WELLINGTON, January 9. The Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) is investigating housing schemes in Britain, and has cabled the Prime Minister details of a visit to Liverpool.. "I discussed the administration and finance of municipal housing with the director of city housing, who is an international authority," says Mr Nash. "I made a thorough inspection of the municipal housing blocks and estates with the head city architect, and discussed in detail all aspects of the city's housing project, one of the largest and

most successful in the world I have gained much information of value to the Dominion. "The administration consists o£ a housing director, with several divisions, including a permanent architectural staff. The houses are, constructed under contract and by the city housing department, the latter being a controlling factor in costs. There is a maintenance division, with a complete stock of standardised material, and its own insurance is carried, while land, houses, and shops owned by the city are not sold, but rented only, Private exploitation of facilities for communal life is prevented. The city can provide superior low-rented houses by mass production and comprehensive town planning methods. Provision is mw« for schools, clinics, shops, and full communal facilities. The best localities are selected. Hoardings are prohibited and shop signs are regulated. "The scheme is financed by borrowing at low rates of Interest on the security of the city rates. This is supplemented in a slum clearance project by a State and city subsidy towards interest and maintenance costs; Other schemes will be inspected later.