HOUSE SURVEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23082, 7 January 1937, Page 10

HOUSE SURVEY

HOMES TO BE VISITED LOCAL BODIES’ TASK WORK FOR INVESTIGATORS Local bodies have been supplied by the Government with a memorandum indicating the nature of the housing survey they must make under the Housing Survey Act, 1934 They are required to appoint investigators, who will make house-to-house visits collecting information which must be supplied in statistical form, with maps, to the Government The Act and regulations make pro ■ vision for the following particulars to be included in the survey, and these in the first place will have to be obtained by investigators:— 1. The accommodation provided by existing dwelling houses, with special reference to the number and size of rooms.

2. The physical condition of such dwelling houses and their appurtenances.

3. The occupancy of the dwelling houses with special reference to the age, sex, and number of persons living there. 4. The owners and occupiers of dwellings and in the case of rented houses, the rentals charged. 5. The extent of overcrowding. 6. The population densities of residential areas. 7. The condition as regards employment of the occupier of every unit included in the survey. 8. The reasons for the occupier living in any particular locality in a district in preference to any other locality in the district. 9. The unimproved value and value of improvements of the premises comprising every dwelling house included in the survey according to the valuation roll in force under the Valuation of Land Act, 1925. TACT MUST BE EXERCISED

The instruction relating to the employment of suitable persons to make the survey suggests that it is highly desirable that men with judgment and tact should be employed, and with some experience in approaching and dealing with people. Certain of the questions are somewhat personal and it will no doubt be necessary for officers to exercise a certain amount of'■tact in certain cases« The standard of physical condition of houses to be ascertained by local bodies comes under three heads. These are:—(a) A standard of satisfactory condition; (b) a standard of condition that is unsatisfactory but repairable; (c) a standard where repair is impracticable. The standard of overcrowding applies to bedrooms only. Where it is necessary to use a living room for sleeping purposes to avoid overcrowding of bedrooms such dwellings are to be deemed to be overcrowded. It is considered that every family is entitled to at least one common living room which is not used for sleeping. The sleeping accommodation is to be based on the separation of the sexes after ten years of age. The standard applies to every room occupied or used as a bedroom, whether such room be in a private dwelling, apartment house, lodging house or boarding house. PURPOSES OF SURVEY It is stated in the memorandum that the general purpose of the survey is to provide information as to the number of dwelling houses which are overcrowded and which fall below a desired standard of fitness for habitation. Such _ information will be an invaluable guide in formulating a housing programme for the community, and in the development of low-cost housing and slum clearances. The Government depends on the local authority for the correctness of the survey. Much will depend on the capability of the men selected to conduct the actual survey, and also on the office staff in the proper tabulation of the survey data. Such areas in which it is fairly definitely known that the buildings do not fall below the standard of overcrowding and fitness as set-out in the second and third schedules of the regulations may, subject to the prior approval of the Minister, be omitted from the survey. Maps to be prepared .under clause 3 of the regulations will show the area the Minister proposes to in elude in the survey, and this area, when approved by the Minister, will be known as the “defined area. Where local authorities have completed their survey maps as required by the Town Planning Act, 1926, it is most desirable that such maps should accompany the maps showing the defined areas.

It is recognised that, in the case of some of the smaller boroughs, cer - tain survey items may possibly be dispensed with. Such local authorities may make application to the Minister for dispensation. It is desirable in the case of all local authorities that a supervisor should,, be appointed, and for the actual house-to-house survey, investigators should be engaged who will perform their duties under him. Investigators are forbidden to communicate any information to any person other than the supervisor or the council. They are not allowed to combine the work with any other or to be accompanied by unauthorised persons, and they must carry a certificate of appointment which must be produced when demanded Findings of the survey are to be presented in statistical form, and the regulations accordingly require that local authorities shall prepare a statement showing the position as disclosed by the housing survey.