NINO STAFFA people of local origin as opposed to newcomers (even peopl~ from the next-door town) whose housing plight may be worse and whose presence in the area is in response to essential economic demands» (SS). The demand for Council housing is never matched by supply and so a « waiting list» system operates in most local authorities. The position on the waiting list is dependent on a« points system» awarded to families in need. These« points» are awarded for the degree of social and physical housing stress experienced by familes on the waiting list. The first way in which, immigrants in particular, and other « undesirable elements » are discriminateq against, is through the application by many authorities of a five year « residential qualification rule» before they can even be placed on the waiting list. Once on the « waiting list » the quality of the housing offered to these families is dependent on the judgement of the Housing Manager and his/her inspectors. If they find that a family is living in unhealthy and dirty conditions then it is considered to be the family's fault. Black families are usually considerd to be dirty and rowdy in any case. « These is, for example, the woman investigator who plainly gives higher marks for new highly polished furniture than for a well-cared-for baby in a shabby cot. There are others who are quite often obviously biased, or baffled, or both, in dealing with coloured people, and therefore play safe by giving low marks. As a result it is rare for a coloured family to be placed in a category which qualifies them for a new house. When all the evidence showeq a bright, spotless room - and some inspectors remark on the efficiency with which West Indian housewives, in particular, cope with the most adverse circunstances - a good mark was sometimes justified with the comment "Althoug she's coloured she does seem very clean"» (56). The net result is that those families who have been suffering the worst housing conditions are usually offered the worst of the Council's housing accommodation. (55) BURNEY E.: Immigrants to Cities and Council Housing. Allocation « from » Cities in Modern Britain, p. 358. (56) BURNEY E.: op. cit., p. 365. 38
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