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110
HOUSING.
(I.) General housing conditions in the district:—
(1) Number of houses—total number.— Assuming that the
term "houses" means "tenements" there are probably
52,000 or 53,000 of such habitations.
Number for the working classes.— It is not possible
to apportion this number without a special investigation
throughout the borough.
New houses for the working classes erected during
the year, or in course of erection.—
(2) Population—with information as to any important changes
during the year or anticipated in the future 225,774.
(Registrar General's estimate.)
(3) (a) Extent of shortage or excess of houses? About 850
tenements or houses now being asked for.
(b) Measures taken or contemplated to meet any shortage ?
See scheme set out on page 109, ante.
(II.) Overcrowding:—
(1) Extent ? Very serious extent. Many hundreds of houses
are wanted to ensure abatement.
(2) Causes ? Reduced building prior to and stoppage during war.
Great influx of aliens who got possession of houses vacated by
families of men on service, and still occupy them.
(3) Measures taken or contemplated to deal with overcrowding ?
Answered by reply to I (3) (b) above.
(4) Principal cases of overcrowding dealt with during the year
and action taken ? Practically nothing could be done pending
provision of new houses which could not be accomplished
during the year. The results of work done during 1919 will
not become effective until some time during 1920 and later.