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96
addition to which the dividing floors of the flats are to be of fireproof
construction.
Courts.— It is proposed to lay out the courts and open spaces
between the blocks in a suitable manner and to provide access roads and
approaches, with certain modifications required by the Ministry of
Health, on the lines laid down on the site plan. These in all cases to
be adequately lighted.
When completed the tenements will house from 400 to 500 people.
No other buildings are proposed to be erected in the Borough.
(3) Information as to any important changes in population during
the year or anticipated in the future.— The one important change in
the population has been its rapid increase. This latter seems to be
much greater among the middle class than among the working class.
There has been, and still is, much dividing of large houses into
maisonettes and tenements, which find tenants without difficulty.
II.—Overcrowding.
(1) Extent.— In calculating this, all the population living more
than two in a room are assumed to be overcrowded. Our investigations
indicate that approximately 6,000 people or 2,000 families are living
in overcrowded conditions.
(2) Causes.— The overcrowding is the direct result of the increased
population with no corresponding increase in dwellings. Building of
houses has been at a standstill for years, whilst our population has been
growing rapidly and is now the highest ever known. As previously
stated, I am of opinion the population is now over 100,000.
(3) Measures taken or contemplated for dealing with overcrowding.—
The completion of South End Green scheme is fully described in the
preceding pages, and this will relieve the pressure by about 400 to 500
persons. In addition, the Housing Committee has considered the
question of building on other sites at Westbere Road and Kilburn
Vale. I regret that since the termination of the year these schemes
have been abandoned.