STATE HOUSING SHOWS STEADY PROGRESS HERE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 13, 29 October 1948, Page 5

STATE HOUSING SHOWS STEADY PROGRESS HERE

But Situation Is Still Rather Grim Although Whakatane, with other centres, is suffering a desperate housing shortage it has received some relief. Figures prove it. Since the first State house was completed in the borough in 1937, 113 units have been occupied. This means that an average of just under 10 a year have been built. Working on this basis, the 107 on the present waiting list can console themselves with the thought that they should have houses sometime within the next 11 years. That is provided no newcomers are added to the list, and the present building rate is maintained. At the moment there are eight units almbst completed with four or five likely to be ready by Christmas. Painting is said to be the hold up.

Another 12' have just been com menced by contractors, but it. will be many months yet before they are anywhere near completion.

Lately, however, it would appear that a possible speeding up is to be effected. Plans were recently received by the postmaster, Mr S. W. Hills, for seven more houses, of which one is to be a double unit. Tenders have been called. But when these buildings are to be commenced is another question. With the shortage of la'bour and materials it is anybody’s guess when work can get under way. Recently tenders for eight more units were called so that altogether Whakatane has 36 State houses in various stages of existence. Some are almost completed, others have ju f st been commenced and quite a number are to be erected —sometime.