Slums: Clearance and Improvement

Abstract

In seeking a solution to the problem of substandard houses all the facts had to be collected and considered. A higher standard of housing provision was justifiably looked for in old dwellings. These would continue to provide the bulk of accommodation, and, judged by 1939 standard, the quality had tended to deteriorate while, on the other hand, in new dwellings-to which most aspired-it had advanced. It was no longer sufficient to use codes for guidance laid down in 1919. Luxuries of those days were necessities to-day. If it were impracticable to legislate higher standards generally, provisions might be adoptive or apply on appointed dates. Surveys were necessary and the author described how the work could be simplified and yet provide essential information. Surveys should divide substandard houses, which were those below the sixteen-point standard, into two main groups:

(a) Those with oven ten years' life-(i) Capable of reaching the sixteen-point standard, (ii) capable of improvement short of the sixteen-point standard, (iii) those which could be made fit under the Housing Act, 1936, and (iv) useful houses not so capable. Local authorities should be given powers to ensure that houses in each group were dealt with according to their maximum potentialities, and premises should be made to support such action financially.

(b) Those with less than ten years' life-To be dealt with by slum clearance in two five- year stages. To avoid premature loss of houses which might retard progress of slum clearance by making demands on rehousing resources, local authorities should be empowered to acquire and repair suitable houses.