HOUSING OF THE INDIGENT

Evening Star, Issue 22684, 25 June 1937, Page 14

HOUSING OF THE INDIGENT

REPRESENTATIONS TO HOSPITAL BOANO “ MORAL OBLIGATION ” TO TACKLE QUESTION Early consideration of the problem of housing indigent persons was urged upon the Otago Hospital Board by the district medical officer of health (Dr T. M'Kibbin) last evening. In a letter to the board Dr M'Kibbin stated that there were in the city a number, of poor people, _ many of whom were receiving financial aid and living ■in unhealthy dwellings. The Government Department of Housing was surveying living premises everywhere and offering aid to enable at least financially solvent persons to acquire dwellings. Apparently, however, there would remain the difficulty of providing healthy accommodation for. the indigent. There were a considerable number of so-called dwellings in the city which should be demolished were healthy and suitable ones available for the present inmates. Many of these inmates were elderly couples or individuals, and l for these buildings of the tenement class would appear to suffice as an economic means of providing them with satisfactory accommodation. It had long been Dr M'Kibbin’s considered opinion that the Hospital Board had a definite moral obligation to tackle this question, either by providing healthy and pleasant accommodation for indigent persons, or at least by seizing the present opportunity and approaching tho City Council, or, if necessary, the Government; or accepting the obligation of paying a weekly sum adequate for the healthy housing of every indigent person. There was no doubt that the demolition of a number of dwellings should be effected, added Dr M'Kibbin. This, of course, would result in rendering some indigent persons homeless. He concluded by saying that ho would be grateful if the board would consider adopting a definitely constructive policy in the matter. The Chairman (Mr A. F. Quelch) : This calls for some consideration. The Benevolent Committee of the board was asked to submit a report.