HOUSING SURVEY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 5

HOUSING SURVEY

BAD CONDITIONS REVEALED By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 22. That 14 per cent, of 14,532 dwelling units within the area of survey are overcrowded as regards sleeping accommodation, and 32 per cent, unsatisfactory with respect to domestic equipment, are outstanding features of the Auckland City Council’s housing survey report. Of 10,698 -buildings used for dwelling purposes, about one-third are structurally unsatisfactory, and 71/3 per cent, are deemed “unsatisfactory and repair impracticable," and should be demolished.

There has been a generally amazing past neglect of property. Only onefourth of 14,532 dwelling units are occupied by the owners, and the vacancies represent about two per cent of the total.

Ten thousand, eight hundred and seventy eight, or 23 per cent, o' the population are detrimentally affected as regards domestic accommodation and equipment, and 3,056, or us per cent, as regards overcrowded sleeping quarters. There are 118 detached outhouses in backyards being used as dwellings, contrary to the by-laws. The sharing of sanitary equipment to extend to upwards of 20 persons is not rare.

The city engineer, Mr J. Tyler, states in his report that it is difficult to say what action the council can take under the present powers to rectify certain features of the position. It is understood, however, that the Government Intends to enact housing legislation based on the surveys throughout the Dominion, and in the meantime it is advisable to rigidly enforce the zoningscheme and by-laws

Mr Tyler states that it is probably safe to observe that there is sufficient repair work to keep all building trade workers in the city in constant employment for some years.