ABOLISHING SLUMS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1935, Page 5

ABOLISHING SLUMS

BRITAIN TAKES ACTION

housing bill appears

OVERCROWDING DEFINED

WIDESPREAD PROPOSALS

British Official Wireless. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Rugby, Jan. 17. Drastic proposals for the elimination of overcrowding in town and country and the development of working-class residential areas in central positions in the great cities is contained in the Government’s new Housing Bill. Its provisions include the introduction of a national standard of housing accommodation enforceable by the courts at the instance of local authorities. Surveys by local authorities will estimate the extent of crowding in excess of the standard which is to be followed. Building and redevelopment schemes will make good the deficit of houses. . A special subsidy will be provided to encourage the building of multi-storeyed blocks of flats for “on the site” rehousing facilities. Public utility corporations in carrying out parts of approved schemes delegated to them by local authorities will be subsidised. A central housing advisory committee will be created to give advice, particularly in the employment by local authorities of management commissioners in the administration of publicly-owned housing estates. The measure seeks without delay to provide accommodation without undue disturbance of large populations at rents within the scope of wage-earners. , The Bill legally defines overcrowding and provides for a penalty of £5 plus 3s each day if overcrowding continues. The big subsidies envisaged include at least £6 a year per flat for 40 years from the State plus 3s from the local authority.