Housing exhibition

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 7

Housing exhibition

I Considerable emphasis had to be put on the rehabilitation, preservation, and conservation of existing houses, rather than encouraging the total demolition of ageing houses and their replacement ■ by higher density new dwellings, said the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay). Mr Hay was opening an exhibition on housing, “Man together — today’s housing choice,” at the Christchurch Building Centre. The exhibition has been (put on by the Canterbury branch of th* Institute of , Architects. The Government scheme, through the Housing Corporlation, for loans for housing improvements did not yet appear to be receiving the support anticipated, said Mr Hay. this was possible- because the cost of improvements did not always reflect itself in an increased value for the property. A home owner

d might, for example, spend :- $15,000 on improving his i- house but only increase its value by $5OOO to $lO,OOO. e Perhaps if income tax alg lowances were given for t major repairs and improve- ;- ments or, where a house had ( changed hands, for deferred i. maintenance there would be n a greater financial incentive n to improve existing houses gjand thus minimise the need b for more comprehensive renewal schemes, said Mr n Hay. y! The Christchurch City f Council was investigating ■ the possibility of making 81 i, per cent housing improve- - ment loans available and had g been offered financial supi- port by- the Housing Corpori- ation. The maximum amount rjof any such loan would be $15,000. e) More, than 70 illustrated s; panels are on display as part fjof the exhibition. More than e)5O of these were mounted by r:the Auckland branch, last

i ?■ '■ i I year, for the institute’s s national conference. The s; Christchurch -branch hasi added others to give a local -flavour. r’ Topics covered include - housing types, forms of proI’perry ownership, sources of d; mortgage finance. Governe ment and local body housing, e : rehabilitation and renovation s|of houses, and housing d’characteristics. Architects' plans and diagrams as well i as photographs are used. In explaining the exhibits Ition, the Auckland branch g'said it had been conscious of Jja desire by the community) ■-Ito be better informed on! d!matters relating to housing.) 1 and of the benefits which) - might come from an im-| t. proved understanding. The e) exhibition graphically shows! (some of the major factors m-j difluencing the housing supply) II situation. n! The exhibition will be at) y)the Building Centre, 211 tiCashel Street, until June 27.