HOUSING SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23004, 6 October 1936, Page 6

HOUSING SCHEME

NEEDS OF OLD PEOPLE EMPHASISED AT CONFERENCE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 5. The importance of placing the needs of old age pensioners in the forefront of the Government's national housing scheme was emphasised by speakers at a conference between members of the legislature and representatives of religious and benevolent organisations which was held 1 - to discuss the need for providing housing accommodation for old age pensioners in Auckland. A tentative scheme for building houses in blocks was submitted to the conference, and a resolution was adopted urging upon the Government the necessity of giving priority in the national housing scheme to providing suitable accommodation for old age pensioners and others in similar circumstances, as . they were the worst housed class in the community. Mr F. E. Clark, M.L.C., presided, and among those present were Mr A. G. Osborne, M.P., members of the City Council, representatives of the Clergy Group, and 40 old age pensioners belonging to the Old People's Fellowship. Mr Clark said that not very much was wanted to force recognition of the rights of old age pensioners. He could assure those present that old people would have first claims on the attention and work of the Prime Minister. The Government would make every effort as far as housing was concerned, and there need be no fear that the old people would be left out. The Prime Minister and his Cabinet and every member of Parliament would guarantee to do their utmost to see that old people would be guaranteed shelter for the rest of their lives. A tentative scheme for a suitable group of houses which had been submitted to the City Council was outlined by Mr E. Gill. He said the estimate was for 24 houses built in blocks of three houses, with a small plot of ground for each house separate from the central common garden. A central building comprising a hall and two common rooms for men and women was also included. The total cost of building these 24 houses with a central hall in permanent material with three acres of land in a convenient suburb would be £18,032. Assuming that 24 tenants could pay a rent of 10s per week each, there would be an annual revenue of £624, which would provide £270 as a sinking fund of 1$ per cent, and £354 as a maintenance and management fund of nearly 2 per cent. " It is evident that such a scheme could not be carried out by an ordinary loan bearing interest," said Mr Gill. "We submit that it is a most suitable use for national credit free of interest chargeable to the undertaking." Mr Gill added that, if one block were satisfactorily self-sup-porting, the scheme could be extended to any limit found possible.