XN000022-1972-11-15 — Page 12

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Wednesday, November 15, 1972

NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION

OF WEALTHY FAMILIES IN PUBLIC HOUSING

The Commissioner for Resettlement, the Hon. I.M. Lightbody, described

as a "sound and attractive idea in principle" the suggestion that wealthy

families living in public housing should move to the private sector.

However, he stressed that it could only be applied to manifestly

well-off families who were able to afford a self-contained unit in the private

sector "at a probable minimum rent of around $600,"

"The problem is to define what constitutes a level of family income

that would justify moving them on; and then to find out which families are

earning more than the accepted limit," he said.

As to checking on family income, Mr. Lightbody said it was in effect

a kind of means test and making continuing checks of this kind on such a scale,

because of the vast numbers in public housing, did not appear to be a practical

proposition.

It would need an "army" of inspectors who would be exposed to "endless

temptations",

However, Mr. Lightbody added that it would be one of the many questions

which the new Housing Authority would be asked to consider.

On the subject of the present certified square footage in the housing

units, the Commissioner said that it was already the subject of frequent review

and discussion.

As always the problem faced was of striking a balance between "the

numbers we can house, housing standards and the availability of funds". At the

same time, he said, lower densities required more land.

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