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120
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
HOUSING.
1.—GENERAL HOUSING CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
(1) The total number of houses in the district is 56,320
Number of houses for the working classes, i.e.,
under £40 rental value 41,476
New houses for the working classes during the year Nil.
Number of houses for working classes in course of
erection 40
(2) Population estimated to the middle of 1919 340,821
(3) (a) Extent of shortage of houses.—The average number of
houses for the working classes built during the years 1909, 1910
and 1911 was 600, and this number seems to express fairly accurately
the normal requirements of the Borough. From 1912 to 1919
the average number erected was only 150, a difference of 450, so that
if building during the last eight years had been at the same rate as
in the previous three years there would have been 3,600 more houses
erected.
If from this 3,600 there is deducted the total number of empty
houses at the census of 1911, viz., 2,600, this would give 1,000
as the extent of shortage of houses, provided the population increased
at the same rate as in the previous decennial period.
(b) Measures taken or contemplated to meet any shortage.—The
Council is converting nine houses into 35 flats, and these will be
available for occupation during the current year. Lay-out plans
have been approved for the erection of approximately 1,320 houses
on the following estates: Magdalen Park, Furzedown, and the
Watney.
II.—OVERCROWDING.
(1) Extent.—The total number of cases of overcrowding dealt
with in 1919 was 27. This is somewhat under the average of former
years. The standard used for determining these cases of overcrowding
was 400 cubic feet for adults and 200 cubic feet for children
under 10 years of age. Compared with former years there have been