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28
The number of applications registered on the Council's housing waiting list on
31st December, 1951, was 171,567, compared with 198,955 in 1950. Approximately
34,000 new applications were registered during the year. The overall reduction in
the number of names remaining on the list was due to applications having been
allowed to lapse. The housing waiting list is divided into three categories in accordance
with urgency on the basis of the total number of points awarded under the
Council's Points Scheme as follows:—
Category A—Urgent cases
Category B—Cases with some housing need, but not of an urgent character
Category C—No basic housing need.
During the year 40,613 requests for preference in rehousing on health grounds
were considered, and suitable recommendations made to the Director of Housing and
Valuer. This figure includes a number of applications which had been considered in
previous years but were reviewed in the light of changed medical or domestic conditions.
The number of new applications considered was some 4,000 less than in
1950. The continuing large number of applications on health grounds is no doubt
largely attributable to the natural anxiety of applicants to put forward any claims
which might possibly lead to prospects of early rehousing. Inevitably, many have
to be disappointed, but all applications are carefully considered and many enquiries
are made to enable fair decisions to be reached. Once again, the great assistance
given by medical officers of health of metropolitan boroughs and out-county
authorities, of hospitals and of family doctors in providing reports is gratefully
acknowledged. Of the applications considered on general health grounds, 4 per cent.
(1,704) were recommended for special preference because rehousing was urgently
necessary to reduce the danger of infection arising from inadequate accommodation
for persons suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis, 11 per cent. were classified
as "most urgent," and 30 per cent. as less urgent but justifying preference on health
grounds. After careful consideration, it was decided that the degree of medical
urgency disclosed by doctors' certificates did not warrant additional preference for
the remaining 55 per cent.
Clearance
areas
In 1949, the Council decided that six unfit areas, on which clearance procedure
had been stopped by the war, should be resurveyed with a view to commencing
clearance action under Part III of the Housing Act, 1936.
Of these priority areas, one was represented to the Council in 1949, a second in
1950, and a further two areas were resurveyed and represented to the Housing
Committee during the year under review. These latter two areas extended over
7 acres and contained 341 houses. The remaining two of the six areas were also
resurveyed with a view to early representation in 1952.
Representations in respect of three areas situated within the Stepney and Poplar
Reconstruction Area, covering over 2 acres and containing 146 houses, were also
made during the year. A further representation was made in respect of an area in
south London extending over approximately 1| acres and comprising 51 unfit houses.
Four public local inquiries were held by the Minister of Health and confirmation
of three of the Council's Orders was received. The result of the remaining inquiry
is awaited.
Notifications under section 33 of the Housing Act, 1936, of intention to deal
with 292 unfit houses contained in seventeen areas were received from eight borough
councils.
Surveys were made of 364 houses contained in seven areas, apart from those
mentioned above, in connection with proposals for their acquisition by the Council.
The Slum
Clearance
Survey
As mentioned in my report for 1950, the metropolitan borough councils submitted
details of all areas regarded as suitable for clearance. Discussions were held
with individual borough councils during the year and a detailed draft programme of
slum clearance to be undertaken during the years 1951-55 by both the Council and