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Use of Huts for Temporary Housing.—The Committee went very
carefully into the question of erecting huts upon vacant land in order
to deal temporarily with the housing difficulty, but came to the
opinion that the cost of purchasing huts, conveyance, carrying out of
necessary drainage and sewerage works, and general laying out, would
be too prohibitive to warrant any action being taken in the matter.
Conversion of Houses into Flats.—In order to increase the housing
accommodation available, the Housing Committee took into consideration
the question of the conversion of suitable houses into flats and
maisonettes.
Thirty-two properties were selected, which were considered to be
suitable for conversion.
The Committee communicated with the London Housing Board on
the matter, and representatives of the Board attended before and
conferred with the Committee.
The London Housing Board having expressed their willingness to
negotiate for the purchase and conversion of these houses, and to hand
them over to the Council when ready for occupation, the Council
decided to request the London Housing Board to exercise on behalf of
the Council the powers of the Council under Section 12 of the
Housing, Town Planning, &c., Act, 1919, such dwelling accommodation,
as and when provided, to be taken over by the Council as part of
the Housing Scheme.
The Council also decided to approach the Ministry of Health with
a view to obtaining their consent for the Council to fix the best rents
obtainable, according to the district, up to £120 per annum.
Demolition of Dwelling-houses.—Upon a recommendation of the
Housing Committee the Council passed the following resolution:—
"That, in view of the existing famine in housing accommodation,
in the opinion of the Council the demolition of any dwellinghouse
for the purpose of providing a site for a place of
amusement or for business purposes should be prohibited unless
the consent of the Ministry of Health has been first obtained,
such consent being subject to any conditions as to re-housing
persons displaced as the Ministry may consider desirable."
The Council informed the Ministry of Health, the London
Housing Board, and the London County Council of their resolution.