LOOKING TO THE FUTURE:
THE 1931 AND 1932 HOUSING ACTS

Nuair a bunaíodh Saorstát Éireann bhí géarchéim shuntasach thithíochta ar cheann de na dúshláin mhóra a bhí os a chomhair. Bhí an ghéarchéim tithíochta seo mar thoradh ar an bhfadhb sheanbhunaithe sluma, fadhb a chuaigh in olcas agus a chuir stad iomlán leis an tógáil de dheasca beagnach deich mbliana de chogadh agus cúrsaí polaitíochta míshocair.

As the example of Cabra illustrates, housing policies and priorities were beginning to change by the early 1930s. New and ambitious Housing Acts in 1931 and 1932 promoted large-scale slum clearance and saw a marked increase in local authority house building nationwide.

The dramatic impact of slum clearance schemes is evident in this image of Dublin’s Greek Street flats under construction, with remaining tenements of Mary’s Lane visible to the left. Courtesy of Dublin City Library and Archive.

Construction underway at Crumlin. Note the cement mixer. Ready-mix cement was not yet available in Ireland. Courtesy of G. & T. Crampton Archive / Joe Brady.

The 1931 Housing Act gave local authorities new powers in relation to the clearance of unhealthy areas, the demolition or repair of unhealthy houses, and the compulsory purchase of land. Under the 1932 Housing Act, the government hoped to meet the state’s entire housing needs – an estimated 75,000 houses – within ten years.

The Acts encouraged local authorities to concentrate on slum clearance and providing housing for the poorest. Private enterprise was also encouraged to build for rental. The 1932 Housing Act introduced variable financial contributions for local authorities depending on the type of housing being provided. Up to two-thirds of annual loan charges were available for accommodating people from slum clearances, while one-third was provided under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, and three-fifths under the more rural focused Labourers Acts. The 1932 Act retained incentives for public utility societies and private individuals

The Act also had a significant impact on the urban landscape. Designated slum areas were acquired, cleared and their populations rehoused. New schemes throughout the country embraced the garden suburb ideal. The characteristic layout with curved streets and set-back terraces was immediately identifiable and widespread. The scale of development also increased dramatically. In Dublin, larger schemes than ever before were completed at new suburbs including Crumlin, while distinctive flat complexes were built in cleared areas.

Outside of Dublin, from Fermoy to Trim, Athy to Enniscorthy, Clonmel to Tralee, a new geography of suburban local authority housing schemes was taking shape. In each of these towns, the number of dwellings exceeded 100. In fact, across the country, 42 urban districts each saw more than 100 houses being constructed between 1932 and 1940. To take Nenagh, County Tipperary as one such example, just 8 ‘million pound’ grant houses were followed in 1928 by 26 more modest and affordable houses. By contrast, in 1936 the 111 house slum clearance scheme at St Joseph’s Park was described as ‘a new town in miniature’ which increased the town’s housing stock by over 10%.*

Construction programme for Crumlin Section No. 6, showing planned sequence of construction of houses from July 1936 to March 1937. Courtesy of G. & T. Crampton Archive / Joe Brady.

A rare view of houses in the Ropewalk (Vernon Street), Sligo, shortly before demolition, 1935. Some were thatched. The cleared area was replaced by St Brigid’s Place in 1941. Courtesy of Fióna Gallagher.