CHAPTER VII
WELFARE IN THE ESTATES AND AREAS
86. When a squatter is resettled in a multi-storey estate one of his major problems has been solved. He now has sanitary
and fireproof accommodation from which he knows he will not be evicted so long as he is able to pay his rent and observes the very reasonable conditions of his permit. If, as is often the case, he was previously renting accommodation in a squatter area from a squatter landlord his new rent will almost certainly be less than what he was paying before. To that extent he may be better off financially but the problem of earning enough money to keep himself and his family alive will probably still be his main preoccupation since only a small percentage of the persons in multi-storey estates are in regular employment. The remainder live a precarious existence, perhaps as hawkers or perhaps obtaining casual employment on a building site or on some public works scheme. When the project is completed there may be a period of unemployment before another tem- porary job is obtained.
87. If therefore we use the term welfare in its broadest sense the biggest need of the average settler is that for regular employment. It is for this reason that the Urban Council's policy now is to get as many ground floor rooms as possible used by settlers for combined business and domestic purposes even though this reduces the total amount of domestic accommoda- tion. As already mentioned in a previous chapter the relaxation of the Urban Council's normal licensing requirements has enabled settlers to open restaurants, cafes and shops for the sale of fresh meat and fresh fish. At one time ground floor rooms for shops and workshops were allocated only to settlers who had previously been running businesses in squatter areas, but eligibility has now been extended to other categories of squatters or settlers. The fact that the financial backing for such businesses may come from outside and that the profits may also to some extent go to persons not eligible for resettlement is accepted. So long as the settler to whom the premises are allocated continues to live and work in them the main object, that of assisting settlers to earn a living, is being achieved.
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