TRANSIT HOUSING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6282, 16 September 1946, Page 4

TRANSIT HOUSING

CAN MORE CITIZEN HELP BE GIVEN A DESPERATE SITUATION One of the homeless applicants awaiting the provision of transit housing at Te Awamutu has written making an earnest plea for citizen co- dfe operation. “In a recent is§ue the Courier suggested that people could help by telling the Council where stoves and other appliances of the home could be obtained,” he says. “That is of course desirable, particularly if surplus stoves, etc., are lying about anywhere unused. But much more than that is needed. In Cambridge, the people who had homes gave much more generous help. They subscribed to a money fund and contributed a substantial sum to the erection of their Kiwi Flats scheme. Then the Transport Company carted over the buildings to the site as their contribution, and other people gave voluntary labour in preparing the grounds, etc. In view of that, it is suggested that perhaps the people of Te Awamutu could do more than it is proposed that they should do. “If a request was made for Saturday working bees,” says the homeless citizen, “there must surely be many people who would give a few hours to hasten things along a bit. In the dismantling of the buildings and packing them on to the trucks for removal a lot of help could be given. The builders could be helped in lots of ways by getting their work ready on the site. If the Council made an appeal for voluntary helpers there would be many who would come along, give their Saturday, and help out of this housing problem.” This at least can be said. Although people generally acknowledge the need for every possible effort to relieve the effects of the shortage, there has not yet been a concerted effort made to speed the provision of homes. Moreover, it is not perhaps sufficiently realised how difficult and distressing the situation is for many people. Those who are responsible for allotting available houses to the waiting applicants, if they could disclose the condition they find in the review of applications, would disclose a harrowing story. The suffering- and priva-tion-—and the effect of domestic disorganisation—have become altogether too widespread. z The Government has most worthily come to the assistance of the people of Te Awamutu by making available the main structures of buildings which will enable 50 dwellings to be erected. What is offered is excellent material, mostly heart timber in well constructed buildings. There will be six 2-bed-room flats in two buildings—formerly mess buildings in the camp. There will be over a dozen three and four bedroom buildings, constructed out of the larger camp buildings—normally Government standard houses. The two-bedroom units will be in the form of good cottages. In all, accommodation will be provided for 50 families. In addition there will be some more temporary hutment accommodation. The Builders’ Association is already heavily committed with other works, and some time must elapse before the builders can tackle the Borough Council’s schedule of works in earnest. Endeavour is being made to secure additional carpenters. The initial plannings and organisation is being pushed ahead. But the idea of Saturday working is well worthy of investigation. Doubtless there are many who would lend assistance, if not voluntarily, on normal working terms. But whether this would involve overtime penal rates of pay should be inquired into. If possible any avenue should be explored to invoke the principle of Saturday work to speed the provision of homes at this time when the need is so pressing and when the inability to secure homes causes so much suffering and distress. Perhaps an appeal by the Borough Council for helpers who could devote their Saturdays to a cause that is so pressing would receive a worthy response. The suggestion bears examination and is worthy of trial. For in the lives of so many people, every day is surely a day when a home is awaited.