THE HOUSING NEED

Te Ao Hou, June 1959, Page 52

THE HOUSING NEED Some idea of the urgency of the problem can be gained from the fact that the number of current applications in the whole of the Auckland district for homes under the department's scheme is almost 600. Of these applicants, 499 have deposits totalling £59,692. Under the department's saving scheme, applicants are able to build up deposits to help pay for their homes by voluntary deductions from wages or other sources. However, the department's means are insufficient to cope with the problem singlehanded. Since the start of its housing operations, it has built 724 houses in the Auckland metropolitan area and it hopes to build about 120 houses this year. With 300 applicants on the Auckland waiting list, it will be some time before the existing demand is satisfied. The special allocation of State houses to Maoris is also inadequate. It has been the means of housing 410 families but the department still has 173 applications on its books. At the present rate of allocation—about 40 houses a year—it will be some years before the applicants are satisfied. As it is, nearly all the available State houses are given to tuberculosis sufferers who have the highest priority. But even their requirements cannot be satisfied with the present allocation. Maori people coming to Auckland find that the bright lights of the city are dimmed by the dismal housing situation. Many of them apply for homes but are soon discouraged when they find out that the prospects of obtaining them are by no means good. This helps to perpetuate the sub-standard conditions in which many Maoris are still living. The future of Maoris coming to the city to work and receive the benefits of the better educational facilities which exist here for their children is not bright. The population is increasing at such a rapid rate, and with its comparative youth, the number of marriages will place such a heavy burden on the building resources in future that under present conditions the demand can be only partially satisfied. Before the Dept. of Maori Affairs can build a house, there is usually a long series of discussions with the prospective client who is often very inexperienced in such matters and who has to be carefully guided in the biggest investment of his life; also, a good deal of information has to be obtained to consider his case. All this is the work of Maori welfare officers, such as Mr A. B. (Bill) Nepia (right), well-known in sports circles as former Wellington and Auckland provincial rugby representative. Mr Nepia, who comes from Tokomaru Bay, finished the larger part of a B.A. degree before joining welfare.