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General Housing Matters.
The housing question became specially acute during 1919, and
the Council appointed a Housing Committee, to which it delegated
its powers under the Housing Acts (financial powers excepted),
leaving, however, to the Public Health Committee all duties connected
with house-to-house inspections made under Section 17 of
the 1909 Housing Act and the Regulationsor Orders(datedSeptember
2nd, 1910) made thereunder, and the advising of the Council as to
the serving of Closing and Demolition Orders as required.
The Housing Survey was drawn up by the Housing Committee
and submitted to the Ministry of Health on October 31st, 1919, for
approval by that Government Department.*
The Medical Officer of Health submitted a Special Report on
" Housing in Lambeth," under date of June 16th, 1919, and a copy
of this Report is printed as an appendix to the present Report.
Much preliminary work has been done during 1919 in connection
with housing within the Borough, but much more still remains for
the Council to accomplish during the coming years —a Herculean
task having regard to arrears (the result of five years of war) that
require to be made up. The help of all will be required, and much
expense will be necessarily involved. The present Housing Committee
has started well, despite the administrative and official
difficulties that hamper its every movement.
As regards the provision of new houses, or old houses reconstructed
into flats, during 1919, the Holderness House site and lands
adjoining and the piece of land adjoining 234-236 Knight's Hill
have been purchased by the Council for the erection thereon of new
houses, whilst 234-236 Knight's Hill have been purchased for conversion
into flats.
* Since provisionally approved by the Ministry of Health.
† Since approved by the Council, including the conclusions or recommendations
set out on pp. 100-104 of the Report, as reprinted in the Appendix.