ing was constructed in the post-war period, the ex-tenants were not covered by the Rent Advance Scheme. Having regard to the hardships experienced by these ex-tenants however, Government decided to offer them direct resettlement.
CHAPTER 5
RESETTLEMENT ESTATES
BUILDINGS
39. The first resettlement blocks, known as Mark I blocks, were built in 1954 as cheap and basic emergency housing for squatters and fire victims. The intention was to build in quantity as quickly as possible, and sufficiently cheaply to be let at rents which the rehoused squatters could afford. With great reluctance, the decision was taken to house families at 24 square feet per adult person, and the rooms were planned accordingly. Over the years, new and improved types of buildings were introduced, and the estates at present contain five marks of building as follows:
(a) Mark I
(b) Mark II
6- to 7-storey, built from 1955-61. Design of block usually of 'H'-shape with communal wash-places and lavatories in the cross piece, though some are 'I'-shaped. An access balcony runs all the way round the outside of each floor and rooms open off it. The 'standard' size of room is 120 square feet housing 4-5 people at a rent of $18 including water charges. There are altogether 146 Mark I blocks.
7- or 8-storey, built from 1961-64. Similar to Mark I, except that the ends of the two arms of the 'H' are connected by a screen of perforated brick, and large rooms with balconies are provided at each end of the block of 310 square feet at a rent of $56.50. There are 94 Mark II blocks.
(c) Mark III 8-storey, built from 1964-67. Entirely different de- sign to Marks I and II with rooms opening off from an internal corridor. Each room has its own private balcony and water-tap; and a private lavatory is shared between two rooms. Electrical fittings are
14
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.