London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Croydon 1933

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]

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65
As the housing shortage, judging from the number of persons
whose names are on the waiting list for Corporation houses, has
not been made up, apart from any action resulting from slum
clearance, perhaps the most urgent problem at present in Croydon
is the supply of houses at rentals which persons of the labouring
classes can afford. There does not seem much useful purpose in
making representations for Clearance and Improvement Areas
until there is a prospect that the representations will take effect,
and persons displaced owing to demolitions or to abate overcrowding,
re-housed within a reasonable time. Croydon is becoming
built up. The finding of sites near the scheduled areas is a
difficult matter, whilst the purchase of available sites at a price
which will enable rents of 7s. or 8s. a week to be charged for
houses erected thereon, is even more difficult. To re-house
occupants of Clearance Areas on sites situated on the outskirts
of the Borough is unwise. In all probability there would commence
a steady drift back. Overcrowding might be abated
immediately, but aggravated ultimately.

Table: The following table gives particulars as to Housing during 1933 under the headings prescribed by the Ministry of Health : —

The following table gives particulars as to Housing during 1933 under the headings prescribed by the Ministry of Health : —

1.—Inspection of Dwelling-houses during the year:—
(1) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts)4,742
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose4,742
(2) (a) Number of dwelling-houses (included under sub-head (1) above) which were inspected and recorded under the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 19252,936
(6) Number of inspections made for the purpose2,936
(3) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation14
(4) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred to under the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitatior3,073
2-—Remedy of Defects during the year without service of Formal Notices:—
Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action by the Local Authority or their officers3,011
3- Action under Statutory Powers during the Year :—
A. Proceedings under sections 17, 18 and 23 of the Housing Act, 1930 :—
(1) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which notices were served requiring repairs154