HOUSING, RESETTLEMENT AND TOWN PLANNING
been accepted, the Public Works Department and the Colony's building industry were largely responsible for the progress. The speed with which they proceeded with this enormous task exceeded the most hopeful estimates.
During the year the Government constructed emer- gency accommodation for 54,000 persons, and contracts were let and started for the construction of similar accommodation for an additional 32,000 persons. 35,000 of the persons rehoused in this way during the year were
accommodated in temporary two-storey structures which are to be demolished in due course to make way for permanent buildings. Eight permanent six storey blocks, each housing over 2,000 persons, were completed and occupied during the year. The design of these buildings and the speed with which they were completed, attracted wide-spread interest. Each build- ing contains 384 rooms measuring 12′ 6′′ × 9′ 6′′ and each floor has two water standpipes and six communal flush latrines. The buildings are so designed that they can be converted, each pair of rooms becoming one orthodox low-cost flat with its private water supply, latrine and a balcony. As these blocks were brought into use, experience suggested a number of modifica- tions which were incorporated in the design for future contracts. The most important change suggested was the addition of one more storey and the buildings under construction at the end of the year were to consist of seven storeys.
The question of the rent to be charged for this accommodation was under careful examination as the year ended.
As an interim measure, the charge had been fixed at $10 per room per month plus an additional
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