HOUSING SHORTAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

HOUSING SHORTAGE.

POSITION IN WELLINGTON.

A report on housing conditions in Wellington has been prepared by Mr. G. Mitchell for the Central Progress League. It shows that there has been a gratifying increase, though the number of houses is still short.

Details show that the population is estimated to have increased at the rate of 3120 yearly since 1916. The number of extra houses required, on a basis of 4|J, persons each, to house the increase, has been 692, or a total of 4844. The total actually built % base only reached 2089,' less than half the required number. The estimated increase in the population for 1923 is given at 3250, and the number of houses required for , these people is 722. It is anticipated that 437 houses will bo built 'or 67 more than in 1917., which had the highest total since 1916. The number of houses built from April 1, 1922, to January 31, 1923, was as follows :—-City 48, Melrose 180, Northland 10, Wadestown 24, Ons-' low 28, Karori 26, Miramar 51; total 367. " There are many people with families to support/now. paying very high rents, who are anxious to procure a house," says the report. " But the finance is the difficulty. Most of them have from £50 to £75 which they are prepared to put down on a house, ; and have been relying on the State Advances Department for the balance in terms of the Prime Minister's promise thai; he would advance the money to any deserving man with a family if he would put down £10. Such promise has not yet been , given effect to." - " .