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155
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
No single house has been condemned under the Housing of the
Working Classes Act, during 1903, such a stringent measure
not having been found necessary. In this connection, it must
be remembered that a very large number of Notices under the
Public Health (London) Act 1891 have been served, and many
structural and non-structural works carried out, thereby
improving greatly the properties concerned. Great power is
given to Sanitary Inspectors under the Public Health Act in this
way, and, if necessary, under this Act, a closing order can be
applied for, so that the more stringent powers conferred under
the Housing Acts are not (except in rare and exceptional
instances) called for. This is an important point to remember.
Site for Working Class Dwellings.
During 1903, the London County Council has acquired a freehold
site (about 1 acre) for Working Class Dwellings on the
West side of Brixton Hill, near the Avenue, under Part iii. of
the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890, at a cost of
£7,000. The action of the London County Council was
approved by the Borough Council on January 22nd, 1903, by 27
to 25 votes (on division). It is proposed to erect 3 blocks of 5
storied Dwellings to accommodate 620 persons in 60 tenements
of 2 rooms, 50 of 3 rooms, and 10 of 4 rooms.
Rents for tenements for compulsorily displaced tenants.
The Home Secretary refused during 1903 to reconsider the
rents to be charged by the London and South Western Railway
Company for their Dwellings erected on Maudslay's site,
Westminster Bridge Road. These Dwellings were erected
under an obligation imposed upon the Company under their
Private Act of 1899—to provide Dwellings for the persons
displaced by its widenings, at such rents as these people can
afford to pay, and quite apart from the question of an adequate
financial return for the cost of providing the new Dwellings.