HOUSING PROBLEM.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15998, 28 May 1924, Page 14

HOUSING PROBLEM.

SHORTAGE IN WELLINGTON. CITY COUNCIL REFERENCES. The housing shortage was alluded to at the Wellington City Council's last meeting, when the annual report on the building operations of the city last year was presented. The report showed that the estimated value of the permits issued throughout, the city totals £1,361,584 as against £929,630 for the previous year, giving an increase of £431,918. The'total number of permits issued for the year ending 31/3/24 was 1400 as against 1257 for the last year.

"From this," remarked the city engineer, "it will be seen that this has been a very busy year for this branch of the department, and also for the building trade. The total number of elwellings for .which permits were issued was 935 as against 762 for the year ending 30/3/23." "We are yet a long way from housing our population," said Councillor G. Mitchell, commenting on the report. Councillor C. H. Chapman took the view that the figures showed that great confidence was placed in the city, so large was the sum of money invested in building. However, Ihere still was a great shortage of houses in Wellington.

Councillor .1. Burns thought the council might consider going in for building again.

The Mayor said there was still a serious shortage of houses in Wellington. Rents were far too high, and the problem was grave and difficult, lie thought the Government scheme was responsible for some of the improvement made, and he thought if the Government could lend more money if would be a good thing. lie knew of people who had had applications in for iO months and had not had anything done for them yet. He could only think that the Department had exhausted its funds. Councillor A. L. Monteilh said the funds certainly seemed o have run a little dry. Me hoped more money would be made available. Councillor M. P, Luckie thought the increase in building permits jy/Q been

wonderful. The housing shortage was not local, or even national, but general. One could not expect proivate enterprise to be directed towards house building while the Rent Restriction Act was on the Statute Book.