LOW COST HOUSING
The National Council of the Chur- ches of Christ in the United States of America carries on its work under several departments, among
them being the Department of Church World Service, whose function is the provision of relief and welfare where the need is urgent.
DEVELOPMENT
A deep and growing concern in the its way to plan for 100 units, which American churches for the stranded are expected to be completed shortly. and destitute Chinese refugees in Actually the area has been formed to
185 Hong Kong led to consultations and accommodate
units and it is throughout most of 1952 hoped to proceed with the construction planning and to the sending in January 1953 of the additional 85 units eventually. of
a representative to investigate needs and to initiate welfare projects. Two sizes of units are being provid- Immediately after his arrival, an ed. The "C" Class Type has overall international group of churchmen dimensions of 12'0" x 14.0" while the The Council now counts among its and others representing welfare in- "B" Class 176" x 13'6". The external members, thirty of the leading terests were called together and a walls are all of 4" Vi-Con Blocks and denominations in America and these Hong Kong branch of Church World the kitchen partitions are 3" Vi-Con have a total membership of more Service was organized, taking the Blocks. while 14" cement asbestos than thirty million. The Council's name The Hongkong Advisory Com- sheets have been used for the roofing. predecessor, the Federal Council of mittee of Church World Service. No plastering has been used either American Churches, was somewhat
internally or externally, all joints One of the first projects suggested being pointed with cement mortar and less inclusive than the National in the Executive Committee of this the wall surfaces whitewashed. Council but laid sound foundations in organization was resettlement hous- constructive relief and welfare work. ing for squatters, especially victims In the China scene, in times of of the ruinous squatter hut fires. The concrete working tables with steel serious famine and the ravages of project was unanimously endorsed hoods over and external doors have war, it reached out in generous and early application was made for been provided to all kitchens, and friendship. Much of its aid was a site spacious enough for 40 housing steel windows have been used effectively administered through the units. This application was most throughout. C. I. F. R. C. (Chinese International favourably considered by the authori- Famine Relief Committee).
tles, and an assurance given of such a site in the Homantin area.
Two unusual features are that
The total cost, not including site formation work, is just under $1.- 500.00 each for the "B" Type and $1,150.00 for the "C" Class. The site formation work for 185 units includ- ing 3'0" concrete walkways around every house and all surface channel- ling will cost about $32,000.00.
Church World Service, so far as resources permit, heeds the calls of
There is no need to recite the need from any part of the world. details that resulted in annoying Since the close of World War II, it delay for several months but, by has given notable assistance in early autumn, a particular and very behalf of "displaced persons" in desirable site was assured; this is Europe and elsewhere, and has help- the oblong valley lying northward ed in economic rehabilitation in wide from the Homantin New Village The Committee seeks economy in areas of Europe and Asia. At the market sheds, and it is here that present time it continues its migra- construction is now under way on tion services programme. It has a contract with the Hong Kong Build- noteworthy programme of material ing Service Ltd., which offered very relief in West Germany, Austria, acceptable terms. Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, France. Israel, the Arab States, India, Pakis- As stated, the original application tan, Japan, Korea and elsewhere. was for grounds for 40 housing units. Korea in particular is now a focus With additional grants during the for special help.
period of delay, the Committee saw
and
costs so far as is compatible with substantial construction and provision for essential comfort. It is convinced that sound wall construction, economy of future upkeep are assur- ed by the use of concrete building blocks, and that cottages built of this material can have a neat appearance both outside and in. Units will have no interior walls other than those of
EX
MARKET
+
PROPOSED LAY OUT PLAH 114 HOUSES 11 RESETTLEMENT AREA –
HOMAN TH
EX LAT
8 888 88-88
SITE INFANTS
FOR NURSERY BUILDING
LOING
88
88 88 88 88 88 88
EXISTING
HOUSES
50
—
TEX LAT
DAT
"I CLASA
403
*C GLAJA
TATAL
HONNĄ KONO Bulava SERVICE
JA
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