HOUSING SHORTAGE IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 237, 4 July 1944, Page 6

HOUSING SHORTAGE IN AUSTRALIA

Interest In N.Z. Plan (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received July 3. 7.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, ..Inly 3. The New Zealand Government's housing scheme is envied in Australia, where the shortage of homes is causing serious concern. Otlicial investigation reveals that nowhere are conditions worse than in Sydney. Mere even in some of the better-class localities, hundreds of families are living in overcrowded conditions, often without proper bathroom or washing facilities. Families have been broken up; newlymarried couples are unable to establish their own homes: children are being born and arc growing up in touts and caravans. While housing is a main feature, of the Commonwealths post-war reconstruction plans, the present acute shortage <>f labour Ims permitted only palliative measures. These include, first, a scheme for the subdivision of suitable large homes into family flat units; secondly, Government building of “sleep-out bungalows” for hire to owners of accommoda-tion-taxed homes at a rental 'of 15,/- a month; and thirdly, a scheme to move families from overcrowded cities to country areas in whicli dwellings are available. Slum Clearance Advocated. Tn support of its wider powers referendum campaign, (lie Federal Government has issued a series of four pamphlets on bousing. These present a case for slum clearance and planned Government home building. Because of Australia’s small population and transport problems, postwar prefabrication of entire, bouses is not considered economic, but it is suggested that manufacturing costs could ho reduced by erecting homes in large numbers and arranging a programme of work so lime bricklayers, carpenters, electricians and plumbers could proceed from job to job in strict order. The prohibition of luxury house building after the war is advocated, It is suggested that the fixing of a minimum price for postwar dwellings would make no needed economy in building materials which are certain to be in limited supply. The Commonwealth’ has also set up an. experimental building station which will examine the problems of good and economic houses. New methods of construction to reduce building costs, while improving housing standards, wil] be tested, both in practical building and by laboratory methods. Any new’ construction methods decided on will be sufficiently flexible to allow individuality to figure in home planning This long-range plan for home-building, however. Ims not satisfied a large section of the Australian public and it is widely claimed that labour could be diverted to urgently-needed domestic building without serious interference with the (’ommonwealth's war effort. Use of Brich. Though timber and carpenters are particularly scarce; it. is suggested that permanent brick homes might, be built, utilizing hundreds of bricklayers and plasterers who are now doing labouring jobs—and making use of dtt.OOO.OOO bricks which are lying ildle. Trade officials say there arc 20,000 brick-building operatives in the Australian Army while an additional 10,000 are employed in the food and other industries. The return of 11.000 odd of these skilled men to Jiomo-bui'diiig. it is claimed, would menu that permanent bride homes could bo built al. the rate of 1000 every six weeks. Meanwhile, with scant expectation of an early improvement: in their own housing situation. Australians are anxious that everything possible shall be learnt from New Zealand's housing scheme, which, while it may have its critics. is envied here because it is certainly building homes.