or seriously damaged huts after natural disasters so that rebuilding and other grants can be paid to the victims from the Community Relief Trust Fund.
37. The structures found in squatter areas vary greatly. Some are wooden shacks, others are substantial buildings of stone or even of reinforced concrete. Most of the more substantial buildings are on leased agricultural land or on land covered by temporary permits. Many of these are divided into cubicles and are as crowded as the regular squatter huts; others are occupied by only one or two families maintaining a reasonably high standard of living. Some squatter areas (in particular the permit areas) may have a high proportion of small-scale industries, and almost all areas have shops. Most squatter structures (particularly the flimsier ones) are owner- occupied; where rent is paid it is most commonly from $25 to $30 a month, depending on the location. The majority of squatters, possibly around 60%, work as labourers, craftsmen and production workers, mostly in the manufacturing or construction industries. Others work as sales assistants and in the service industries. A small proportion claim managerial or professional status. This information is mainly derived from the 1966 by-census. The data on family incomes is suspect for various reasons, but according to the by-census the household incomes of 65% of the families living in 'marginal housing units' was below $400 a month (compared with the Colony overall of 45%), with 26% earning between $400 and $600 (Colony overall 27%), and 8% over $600 a month (Colony overall 27%).
38. During the year under review, a total of 11,208 new or re-erected structures or extensions to tolerated ones were demolished by the squatter control staff, and another 4,512 were dismantled by their owners. 397 of these were on the roofs of permanent buildings. The figure for all demolitions is nearly 40% higher than that of the previous year. 79 tons of materials, mostly loose wood and tin sheeting, were confiscated. By the end of the year under review, there were estimated to be 400,700 people still living in tolerated squatter huts.
RENT ADVANCE SCHEME
39. The rent advance scheme offers immediate priority for reset- tlement to tenants of domestic rooms in buildings demolished as being dangerous. Those opting to join the scheme are required to pay $400.00 for an adult and $200.00 for a child under ten years of age
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