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33
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT, 1890.
During the past year I have only certified nine houses in Ames
Street under Part II. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
1890. The usual notices required by law were served, but before
they expired the owner, who is a very " slim " gentleman, got the
repairs well in hand, so that police-court proceedings could not be
taken, and closing orders were not applied for. As a like result
would probably have followed ordinary statutory notices under the
Public Health (London) Act, 1890, no advantage was gained by
proceeding under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890,
in this particular instance.
The year under consideration marks the completion of the London
County Council scheme for re-housing the displaced population
(5,700 in number) on the Boundary Street Area.
A recent publication by the Council gives the net cost of purchasing
the ground, compensating the disturbed owners, clearing the
site, and laying out the new streets, at £270,000. This sum is
exclusive of the estimated value of the ground, which is set down
at £62,000, and it represents the money sunk in abolishing the
"Friars' Mount" slum.
Upon the 15 acres they acquired the Council have erected buildings
to provide accommodation for 5,380 persons, at a cost of £260,000.
This amount, plus the estimated value of the land, represents a
capital sum of £322,000, which may be taken as the market value
of the estate, and this sum the Council expect to wipe off in 60
years.
"In this scheme, as in others promoted by the Council, the
aim has been that the dwellings, while let at rents not
exceeding those ruling in the neighbourhood, shall be so
designed as to be self-supporting. That is to say, that the
rents, fixed on that basis, shall be sufficient to pay all outgoings,
including interest on the capital expended on land
(at its value for housing purposes) and buildings, and the
provision of a sinking fund for the repayment of such
capital within a period of 60 years."
c