HOUSING PLANS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 7

HOUSING PLANS

A DJBECTOE-GENEIiiL APPOINTED. Sir James Carmichael, K.8.U., buildinp; contractor,. London, who lias bean chairman'' of the Munitions Works Board, lias-been'appointed by the President of tlio Local Government Board as Direc-tor-General of' Housing in England and Wales. He will be in charge of the Departmental organisations set up for the purpose* of carrying out the Government policy, -of 'affording assistance, financial and['.technical', to' local authorities and others; for the provision of houses for tlio working classes. The central staff at Whitehall, under Sir James Carmichael, has, been strengthened by the appointment of various experts in building. Plans for the erection of 300,000 houses as <i first instalment arc in a forward state of preparation. Money is to .be advanced 011 loan.-to local authorities for the building of the houses. In seven years' time tho houses arc to bo valued, and if any losses have been ■ sustained 75 per ccnt. 'is to bo borne by the Troas.ury, and 25 per cent, by the local rates. In responso to a circular explanatory of the sch.eme issued l by tlio Local Government. ..Board. 122,7 replies have been received from local authorities. Of these, 1070 consented to 'prepare plans. Others urged that tlio local liability, in the event of a lose, shojild not exceed a rato of one penny in t'>c ■ pound. District Housing Commissioners are being appointed under Sir James Carmichael's direction, .to assist the local authorities in tlio preparation of their schemes and the carrying of them into olfect. It is expecicd that ill some, districts building will be commenced very soon. The Local Government. Board is also encouraging tlio formatioft of public utility societies, composed of large employers of labour, such as colliery ownors and manufacturers, for the erection of model villages near their works t for habitation' by their employees.