HOUSING SURVEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 March 1939, Page 7

HOUSING SURVEY

CONDITIONS IN BOROUGHS.

PROBLEM FACING COUNTRY.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, March 8.

Statistics available from the recent housing survey of the Dominion, though they covered only 60 per cent, of the population, gave some-indication of the housing problem which faced the country, said the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, at the opening of the annual conference of the Municipal Association today. Surveys had been completed in 115 boroughs, comprising a total population of 901,353 persons housed in 225,363 dwellings. Of those dwellings, 31.663 or approximately 14 per cent, were considered to be in an unsatisfactory state but capable of repairs, 6827 houses, or approximately 3 per cent, were judged to be irreparable and fit only for demolition, and 9835 houses, or approximately 4.5 per cent, were found to be overcrowded according to accepted standards, the surplus occupiers numbering 14,761. Though it was not two years since the actual constructional work in connection with the Governments housing scheme was begun, and though the scheme was hampered by the extreme shortage of labour, the Department of Housing Construction had to date begun more than 5000 houses, of which 2700 were occupied, and contracts had been let for a further 1000 houses. If there was to be a quickening of the pace of housing construction it was vitally necessary to increase the number of artisans and the Government was arranging for the introduction of artisans from overseas; it was confidently expected that the position would be considerably improved in a very short time.