WORKERS' HOMES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 71, 10 April 1937, Page 6

WORKERS' HOMES

Mr J. H. Lee Gives Hint at Rent COST OF THE HOUSES Speaking to a larg© gatkering at Auckland on Wednesday evening of persons interested in the housing scheme, tb© Under-Secretary of Housing, Mr J. A. Lee, said that the scHeme was being conducted on sound business lines. Mr Lee added that be tberetore could not divulge the exact figures of present contracts or of the probable rents, He could say, liowever, that some houses at Lower Hutt were costing 19/8 a f oot, and others a little mor© or less. The highest cost of a house — it would be thoroughly modern -was about £1300 and the lowest £850. Tbe cost would be higher at Urakei where. acute slopes necessitated more foundations. He could say that the'weekly rent would represent about one day's wages for a good carpenter, or perhaps a little niore. Rents would not be based on bigh interest. There would be a maintenance department and good tenants would get a rebate. in rent and - tlie tenant who neglected :kis house would sulfer. Special legislation would deal with _ the tenant who, although in a position to do so, failed to pay his tent. • ^ Mf Lee said tenants would not be restricted to those with salaries of not over £6 a week, and the necessary alteration would be- made to the legislation. They wished to make it possible for any worker to have a house.