Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1919
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accumulating to the vastness that now confronts us. The new by-laws ought
to go to the limit of their terms of reference in forbidding the further subletting
of houses beyond their real capacity, but it would be better if the
control of the practice in future were definitely enacted by Statute.
In the following section are set out particulars in regard to housing asked
for in the Ministry of Health's Memorandum (9 Med.), and tabulated as
required therein:—
I.—General Housing Conditions in the District.
(1) Total number of houses in St. Pancras (1911 census) 23,345
Number of houses for the working classes (estimated) 20,982
„ „ families or separate occupiers (1911 census) 52,994
New houses for the working classes erected during the year,
or in course of erection Nil.
(2) Population. The chronic state of overcrowding in the Borough was
accentuated in 1919 by the increase in the population. Compare the 1911
census population (218,387) with the Registrar-General's estimate for 1919
(228,585).
(3) (a) The shortage of dwellings is indicated by the fact that in 1911
51,214 persons lived in 8,875 dwellings with more than two occupants
per room. At the present time there is undoubtedly a greater
shortage than in 1911.
(b) There is no indication of the shortage being met by private enterprise,
and the measures taken by the Borough Council are indicated on
page 92.
II. — Overcrowding.
(1) The extent of overcrowding in 1911 is indicated by the following figures from the census returns of that year. The degree of overcrowding is now still greater.
Number of Rooms per Tenement. | Total number of private families (or tenements). | Population. | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 11,452 | 22,486 | |
2 | 15,568 | 55,963 | |
3 | 10,421 | 43,284 | |
4 | 5,890 | 28,541 | |
5 | 2,551 | 13,649 | |
6 | 1,962 | 10,319 | |
7 | 1,245 | 6,727 | |
8 | 978 | 5,483 | |
9 | 708 | 4,231 | |
10 and upwards | 1,535 | 10,052 | |
Totals | 52,310 | 200,735 |