BACHELOR FLATS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23542, 4 July 1938, Page 6

BACHELOR FLATS

PROVISION FOR SINGLE PEOPLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN FULL SWING SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR (Per United Press Association* AUCKLAND, July 2. “ Now that the Department of Housing Construction is in full swing, producing a type of dwelling suitable for the person of average income and the average sized family, attention is being given to special housing for other sections of the community,” said the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) this morning. “ The provision of bachelor flats for single people working in the cities is being considered, plans for the first block, to be erected in Wellington, being under preparation. “ The first trial block of four flats suitable for pensioners and aged couples is almost completed in Auckland. “For families of unusual size designs of larger houses are under way, a special house of this nature having been erected for the quadruplet family at Dunedin. “Finally, there is the problem of a cheaper type of house for the lowest income group, to be rented at a figure lower than the average rents now being charged. Two trial houses of this nature are nearing completion at Wellington. “Later will come a clearance of the slums and their replacement by multiple unit dwellings. This problem needs special legislation and cannot be attacked until the acuteness of the present housing shortage has been reduced.” Mr Savage said that houses were now being completed at the rate of 60 a week. The department’s operations were so extensive that there were serious difficulties in obtaining sufficient skilled labour and materials. It appeared doubtful whether the present resources of the Dominion could produce 100 houses a week for the department, in addition to the normal requirements of private enterprise and the other State departments. About 172 general contractors were working for the department, and 4800 persons were directly employed.