HOUSING POSITION NEARS CRISIS

Chronicle (Levin), 21 August 1946, Page 4

HOUSING POSITION NEARS CRISIS

MAYOR MAKESAN APPEAL TO CITIZENS temporary scheme t0 be investigated - . That the serious housing situation which has prevailed in Levin for some months past would probably reach a crisis very shortly, and that unless something was done for them certain couples with young families would be on the street, was the advice giveii to this month's meeting of the Levin Borough Council by the Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin). In view of the desperate position he made an appeal to citizens living alone in large houses, and other 'people with roomsi not occupied, to make rooms available, and^said that he would only send to them people whom he could personally recommend. In the course of a discussion which ensued the possibility of securing temporary housing accommodation in unoccupied buildings at the former R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Kimberley Road, and now used by the Mental Hospitals Department, was mentioned, His W orshipmndertaking to investigate the matter.

At the outset of his remarks the Mayor said there had been no very great progress yet with the State houses in Chamberlain Street, and he had received no further word from the authorities as to whether they were going to provide baths for them or instal shower cabinets. He hoped to see the AssistantDirector of Housing (Mr. B. R. Hamrtfond) in Wellington the following day and settle that point with him. Regarding the State houses it was intended to . build in Lincoln Place, His Worship said- the contractors had received a small supply of cement for the foundations, and when they finished work at the Kereru soldiers' settlement, which

it was hoped would oe t-nis weex if the weather was favourable, they expected to start on the new houses. It was thus possible that some activity would be seen there shortly. There were differeht contractors for the Chamberlain Street houses and those in Lincoln Place, and both had told-him that timber was the least of their worries; it was all the other necessary materials. "I want to make a public appeal to citizens to assist a situation which is getting out of control," continued His Worship. "I cannot tell you the details of all ihe cases which come to me in my office, but there are certain cases of people with young families who are likely to be on the street in a short time. One couple has been living in a single room. The house has been sold, and they have to get out this week. I appeal to the people to come to the rescue and find a home for them before tlie end of the wftfik."

The Mayor went on to say that in. Levin there were some large houses occupied by a single resident. He had called on the owners of two of them in an endeavour to get them .to take in young couples. but had been refused. In one case the lady left the house daily at 5 p.m. and went to a neighbour's for the night, because she would not stay in the house alone. "I realise there is a very grave difficulty under the Fair Rents Act by which, if a tenant proves unsatisfactory or undesirable, it is almost impossible to get rid of them. but there are certain families for whom I would give my personal guarantee that if difficulties arose they would be prepared to get out." Anything up to 50 people in Levin wanted houses to-day, stated His Worship, and over 30 of them were returned servicemen. "I feel that an emergency such as the present one should be made something more than an ordinarv business proposition, particularlv where it concerns the returned servicemen," declared ' the Mayor in. conclusion. "They were c.onscripted and' told they had5 to gb and risk their lives, but when they come back, and are married and have small families, we cannot conscript houses for them. The whole hous-

ing situation in New Zealand has got out of hand. It is sad to see these young mothers, whose huspands were promised when overseas that the Government would find houses for them, come along • and we have none for them. We have only eight State houses in sight in the next six months." Cr. W. Telford: Have we any sort of building we could convert into temporary accommodation? Are there any sui'plus buildings at the former R.N.Z.A.F. Station thgt could be used? The Mayor: There are, but the purpose for which the place is now used might preclude the entry of anybody else. There are vacant buildings there now, but they have plans for extending and in twelve months the accommodation may be fully taxed. Cr. F. E. Parker: There is a score of unoccupied buildings there, and they are of a type which would be quite suitable for temporary housing. The Mayor: I will investigate it when I am in Wellington to-mor-tow. Cr. Parker mentioned the difficulty there wouldc' be for peopla getting into town to work. The Mayor " remarked that a bus would overcome that. He added that the position was so grave that this would be the least of the difficulties. Cr. Parker said that many of the buildings there would not be required for five years at least. They could be removed to other Government land nearer the town. "If they were wanted in a month for the military this could be done," he added. "Here is a case equal to it and just as urgent."

In reply, His Worsnip saia ne thought the council would achieve ipore success endeavouring to occupy the buildings on the spot rather than pushing to have them moved. On the existing premises there were showers, ablution rooms, cooking faeilities and everyfching required for temporary housing. He had noticed recently in the Press where £30,000 was to be spent at Massey College in additional residential accommodation of students. That seemed wrong when they could be quartered at Linton Military Camp, where there were suitable buildings. "It is wrong that in an emergency like this they should take money, time and materials to put up a block like that," he commented. Cr. V. E. Hudson advised that last week-end he was at Hastings, where former army huts were being taken to the camping ground to make temporary housing. . A large gang of men were engaged there and by the coming week-end it was hoped to settle 50 families there. In terminating the discussion, His Worship said ;he would make enquiries in Wellington, the following day, and ffi'- anything ■ tangible resulted he woSild 'cali the couhcil together for a special. meetings "We have a very defmite responsibility," he concluded.