HOUSING SHORTAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 50, 18 February 1944, Page 5

HOUSING SHORTAGE

LOCAL POSITION ACUTE CIHY FATIIKKS CONCERN* "We have already had 95 State houses erected in Whakaand we need as more," said Cr A. J. Canning at the meeting of the Whakatane Borough Council last Monday He added l that there were over a hundred 1 applicants for homes that he knew of and the position was quite desperate. The council was discussing the letter from the County Council which enquired in answer 'o the Borough's request for support to its representations, lor the estimated number of houses needed at the present time and also the estimated shortage in the post-war period. "f don't know how they expect us to answer the second question," observed His Worship who ;-dded that the Borough merely wanted a little co-operation to assist towards relieving the housing iKoblem. The jjosition Avas bad, said Cr< Shapley, when young men returning home from the war were unable to find homes' for themselves in which to settle down. It must be a genuine disappointment, and unless the Council did something about it the position would grow more acute. Cr Canning said the Housing Department was, fully conversant with Whakatane's problem and nothing would be gained by harassing it too much. Cr Sullivan disagreed, maintaining that the only thing to do Avas to keep at the Department until the position Avas relieA'ed. It was a question at the present time of 'what does Whakatane Avant'—a new post office, a new hospital and 80 or 90 new houses, ft Avas, necessary to keep pushing. The Mayor said he. could not see of Avhat avail the suggested conference Avith the County Council Avould be. The present position needed urgent attention that Avas all and. the County had been asked to back up the Borough. The. Council decided to Avrite the Department direct.