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
Merton and Morden 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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Housing Act, 1936—Overcrowding. At the overcrowding
survey conducted under the 1935 Act in May, 1936, 149 dwellings
were found to be overcrowded, involving 1,043 equivalent
adults. By the beginning of 1937 the number of cases was
reduced to 120, involving 824½ equivalent adults. During the
year under review the nett reduction in the number of overcrowded
families was 88, leaving at 31st December, 1937, 58
overcrowded dwellings housing 3994 equivalent adults yet to
be decrowded.
Details of the overcrowding and decrowding in the individual wards is shown in the following table:—
| Wards. | Overcrowded at end of 1936 | Subsequently, found to be overcrowded | Decrowded during the year. | Overcrowded at end of 1937. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey | 10 | 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Bushey Mead | 10 (a) | 1 | 9 (e) | 2 |
| Central | - | — | — | — |
| Morden | 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Park | - | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Ravenebury | 38 (b) | 8 (c) | 26 (d) | 20 (f) |
| Raynes Park | — | — | — | |
| St. Helier | 57 (b) | 10 (b) | 39 (b) | 28 (b) |
| West Barnes | - | - | — | — |
| Whole district | 120 | 26 | 88 | 58 |
(a) Includes 1 Merton and Morden house.
(b) All London County Council houses.
(c) Includes 5 London County Council houses.
(d) Includes 24 London County Council houses.
(e) Includes 2 Merton and Morden houses.
(f) Includes 19 London County Council houses.
The 26 new cases of overcrowding which came to notice
during the year occurred in the following manner:—
By natural growth of the family in occupation
on the appointed day 16
Otherwise than by natural growth of family
(including illegal overcrowding) 10
Decrowding was effected in the 88 instances in the following
ways:—
Family offered alternative accommodation 48
Lodgers or relatives offered alternative
accommodation 2
Death of any of occupants 2
Marriage or removal of members of family 26
Family removed out of district 10
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