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119
THE HOUSING QUESTION.
The housing policy of the Finsbury Borough Council was stated
in my Report for 1901. Only certain portions of that policy come
within the duties of the Public Health Department, and these have
received attention during the year. Briefly they are three. First,
the improvement of insanitary areas and houses. Secondly, the
keeping of a register of all persons displaced. Thirdly, the
enforcement of the Public Health (London) Act, in respect to house
property and overcrowding. In previous reports I have discussed
in some detail the general position of the housing question in
Finsbury and the necessary steps that should be taken. The past
year has been occupied in continuing to take these steps. I propose
to deal strictly with the above-mentioned points of insanitary areas
and the maintenance of sanitation in house property. A register is
being kept of persons displaced in any houses closed on account of
Borough Council action.
For convenience this section dealing with the Housing Question
will be sub-divided under three main headings. In the first place
the insanitary areas under the London County Council will be
sidered; then the smaller insanitary areas receiving the attention of
this Department; and thirdly, the general question of the maintenance
of sanitation in house property and the reduction of overcrowding.
The particulars which follow, respecting the areas now being
dealt with by the London County Council, bring the facts of the case
up to date. These facts are printed here for purposes of reference,
and because of their importance. They show in a very clear
manner the steady degeneration of property in the areas during the
process of reform, and furnish many illustrations of the difficulties
of housing work in Finsbury, and the causes of the overcrowding
in some parts of the Borough.
In my Report for 1902 (see pp. 126-140), a detailed statement
will be found respecting these areas, and it will only be necessary
this year to report the present condition and the changes which have
taken place during the last twelve months.