Monday, February 18, 1974
The decision to waive the rent increases for one year, he said,
had been the result of discussions between the Social Welfare Department
and the Housing Authority.
It will be necessary, he said, for the Social Welfare Department
to make recommendations to the Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC) in
respect of those organizations and operations which are of a wolfare nature.
There are at present arrangements for the refund of rates to welfare
organizations providing services useful to the community and it should not
be insuperable to extend this arrangement to cover the refund of both rents
and rates," he noted.
The question then arises of what criteria should be used for making
these recommendations for refund, Mr. Topley said.
Aro
While it would not be possible to anticipate the decision of SWAC,
he said, it appeared that these criteria would be important, namely, does the organization's operation in the premises provide a valuable service? the promises fully occupied and used? And are the services provided available
to the public as a whole and not only to a membership group?
The Director said these criteria would be fair and reasonable, and
would not be so stringent as those applied to organizations seeking subvention.
"It should be possible to make comprehensive recommendations to SWAC
in the early summer and effective organizations providing useful services
should not need to fear regarding their future operations," he said.
He pointed out that the Social Welfare Department would not be able
to make recommendations regarding clinics, schools and churches for which
the Medical and Health, Education and Home Affairs Departments would be the
respective sponsoring authorities, but those departments would be advised
of the situation so that they can make appropriate arrangements.
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