STATE HOUSING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 102, 3 May 1939, Page 19

STATE HOUSING

PROGRESS TO DATE

DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY

Since the inauguration of the State housing scheme nearly 3300 houses have been built, and as many more are in course of construction. Pointing out how the demand exceeded the supply, the Minister of Housing (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong), in a statement made last night, said that applications for these houses totalled 17,000. Auckland led with slightly more than 7000, and Wellington was next with 6900. The demand in the other centres was as follows: —Christchurch 1100, Napier 530, Dunedin 330, Nelson, New Plymouth, and inyercargill approximately 200 each.

Mr, Armstrong said that no fewer than 43 towns in the Auckland district were named in the list of applications for State rental houses, the demands ranging from one house in each of seven towns to over 5800 in Auckland city. In the Wellington district 22 towns were concerned, with Palmergton North ranking next to Wellington city in demand for housing accommodation, The need of Falmerston North, 500 houses, was less than one-tenth of the demand in the metropolitan area of Wellington, where 6000 dwellings were wanted. Wanganui sought an additional §40 houses, while Magterton wanted 100. Altogether, th demandj for houses, came' from 1&6. towns; throughout the Dominion. . j Work on State houses was proceed-! ing in 94 towns, over 5600' men being; employed. So far 6800 houses had been, advertised, :

"The demand clearly shows the leeway that has to be made up," said Mv, Armstrong. "We intend to do everything humanly possible to overcome the serious shortage of houses throughout the Paminion. It is largely a question of workmen and material, and in these essentials the position this year has been substantially improved. It has to be recognised, however, that in spite of the Bplendid work that has been achieved by the State Housing Department during the past 18 months pr ,s,o, there ip sjill an acute shortage of IO,QOQ houiep.; A^gr.eaV effpyt must be made to meet the needs of the people."