STATE HOUSING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22444, 4 July 1938, Page 10

STATE HOUSING

BACHELOR FLATS BEING CONSIDERED PLANS OF DEPARTMENT (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, July 2. Now that the Department of Housing Construction is in full swing, producing a type of dwelling suitable for persons enjoying an average income and with an average-sized family, attention is being given to special housing for other sections of the community, said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) this morning. The provision of bachelor flats for single people working in the cities Is being considered. Plans for the first block to be erected at Wellington are being prepared The first trial block of four flats suitable for pensioners and aged couples is almost completed in Auckland. For families of unusual size designs of larger houses are under way, a special house of this nature having been erected for.the quadruplet family in Dunedin. “Finally there is the problem of a cheaper type of house for the lowest income group, to be rented at a figure lower than the average rents now being charged. Two trial houses of this nature are nearing completion at Wellington. “Later will come the clearance of slums and their replacement by multiple-unit dwellings. This problem needs special legislation, and the problem cannot be attacked until the acuteness of the present housing shortage has been reduced.” Mr Savage said that houses were now being completed at the rate of 60 a week. The department's operations were so extensive that there were serious difficulties in obtaining sufficient skilled labour and materials. It appeared doubtful whether the present resources of the Dominion could produce 100 houses a week for the department, additional to the normal requirements of private enterprise and other State departments. He said that 172 general contractors were working for the department, and 4800 persons were directly employed.