British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 772

CHAPTER XVII.

PERMANENT HOUSING.

90. This is the most acute of all social problems at present, with particular difficulties in its resettlement aspect. All possible schemes are constantly under review, and a project has been approved for the relief of the situation in Tel Aviv where the need is greatest. Government has made a loan of £P.200,000 on special terms .to the municipality for the construction of 300 houses for ex-servicemen. The dwellings will be disposed of on a "hirepurchase" plan.

TEMPORARY HOUSING.

91. Army buts have been acquired and erected at Government expense on land set aside for the purpose by the Tel Aviv municipality. Each hut has been converted into two one-room units, each unit including a bath-mom with water-closet and a simple kitchen. These huts will be used for housing ex-servicemen and their families, at a rental of £P.3.500 per month. The possibilities of further developments along these lines are under review.

BILLETING.

92. The District Administration in Tel Aviv has the necessary powers and machinery for billeting ex-servicemen, and consideration is being given to extending the arrangements to other towns.

DISABLED EX-SERVICEMEN.

93. In all the matters detailed above, special account is taken of the particular need of disabled ex-servicemen, but their interests are, in the first instance, the concern of the Committee for Disabled Ex-Servicemen. This committee was the first body to be created by Government with definite responsibilities in connection with resettlement matters. It was formed in June, 1944, under the chairmanship of the Director of Social Welfare, to deal with the medical care, relief and rehabilitation of personnel discharged on medical grounds. The committee has a close relationship with the Resettlement Advisory Committee referred to above.

94. The Committee for Disabled Ex-Servicemen assists personnel discharged on medical grounds, as necessary, with free medical care, hospitalization and medicaments. It also affords a substantial measure of financial assistance in necessitous cases, at a rather higher rate than the TFA scheme described above. The committee also provides those under its care with information and assistance in connection with pension awards, clothing issues and other service matters. A serviceman who starts work and later breaks down under his discharge disability may still receive free medical treatment.

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