THE HOUSING PROBLEM
[To the Editor of TILE SPECTATOR.] SIR,— After listening to the debate last, week in the House of Lords on the Housing problem, I would like to remove certain misconceptions which apparently still linger as to the Rees Nicholson proposals for the setting up of a Central Housing Authority.
One of the fundamental points of these proposals is to seeure continuity of policy, allied with full co-operation, co-ordination and organization of the many interests involYed. It is only by these means that a real and sound solution of the problem can be effected. Apparently an impression still exists that such a Central Authority might supersede or interfere with the activities of the Local and Rural Authori- ties, Public Utility Societies and Private • Enterprise. We have, throughout, advocated the opposite policy. Today many Authorities are reluctant further to increase their rates, and this retards housing progress. We submit that a Central Authority will assist all forms of public and private housing enterprise to secure the speedier passing of their planS, and`all the finance required for such work, thus enabling them to operate as a. 'combined body rather than 1,716
separate units. •
Regarding Public Utility Societies ; their operations in future would not be held up by their having to secure -the
necessary finance on charitable lines, which is always a lengthy procedure. The last 12 months have conclusively proved that private enterprise is unable to undertake such speculative business as building the necessary low-cost type of housing on a rental basis which should not exceed 10s. per week, inclusive. All contractors today have to allocate approximately 125-230 per house erected, to cover themselves for theloss of time and expense incurred in either selling or letting such houses. Under a Central Housing Authority, all such builders would be fully financed and paid for every approved house erected.
A large and sustained programme of building is required throughout the country to relieve this housing shortage ; therefore, under such an authority all builders and suppliers of materials will know that for some years to come, their full complement of men and works will be consistently engaged. These contractors and- manufacturers would also enjoy the advice and co-operation of the many experts constituting the proposed Executive and Advisory . Boards of such a Corporation, which would be of particular use to them over the proper town-planning of their building schemes.
The excellent speech Made by Lord Dudley emphasized the advantages to be secured by standardization and mass- production and the proper organization of all contracts, whereby the necessary building materials or units will be delivered to the site at the time when they are needed and erected in
due order, so that the next process of construction can take place .without loss of, time or efficiency.. The Marquess of
Reading and Lord Trent, who are daily engaged in controlling two of the largest, most up-to-date and successful business undertakings of today, once again, as in the December Housing debate, strongly stressed the absolute necessity of dealing with this problem as. a whole through a Central Housing Authority.. Lord Balfour, of Burleigh spoke, in a
like vein, but warned the House against unnecessary cen- tralization. Therefore, might I refer your readers to the
details in our précis, on this point :
An will secure standardization particularly of items
common to all districts, and initiate central buying to an extent compatible with all circumstances. In other words, centralization where °Sao:Alai-and decentralization to a maximum consistent with sound organization.7 A further point that stood out in the debate was the total neglect of additional housing for all rural areas, which so greatly affects the agricultural problem. In preparing the Rees-Nicholson proposals, we have always been con- vinced that it- is-impossible to deal adequately with the problem by piecemeal legislation. All the difficulties of
slums and overcrowding must be met by some properly organized,' sustained and all-embracing plan of action.— Loxwood, Sussex.
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