AUCKLAND HOUSING.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13715, 23 November 1937, Page 4

AUCKLAND HOUSING.

OVERCROWDING AND DISREPAIR,

REVELATIONS OF SURY EY

Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 22. That 14 per cent of the 14,532 dwelling units within the area ot the survey are overcrowded as regauls sleeping accommodation and that 32 per cent, are unsatisfactory in respect of domestic equipment are tbe outstanding features ot the Auckland City Council’s report oil the bousing SU (M the 10,698 buildings used for dwelling purposes, a Knit one-third are structurally unsatisfactory and 7.f3 per cent, are deemed - unsatisfactory and repair is impracticable and should be demolished There has been, generally, amazing past neglect of property, the report comments. Only one-fourth, or the 14.532 dwelling units are occupied by their owners, and vacancies represent about 2 per cent, of the total. The report says that 19,5.3, or 23 per cent, of the population, have been detrimentally affected as regards domestic accommodation and equipment and 3056 or 6 1-3 per cent., as regards overcrowded sleeping quarters. There are 118 detached outhouses in backyards being used as dwellings contrary to tlie by-laws. The sharing of sanitary equipment to an extent upwards of 20 persons is not rare. .... , The city engineer. Air J. fy.er, states in his report that it is difficult to say what action the council can take under its present powers to rectify certain features ol tae position. “It is understood, however, that the Government intends to enact housing legislation based on the surveys throughout the Dominion, and ill the meantime it is advisable rigidly to enforce the zoning scheme and by-laws,” he adds. Air Tyler states that it is probably safe to observe that tluye is sufficient repair work to keep ail building-trade workers in the city in constant employment for some years.