London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bermondsey 1933
Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1933
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The London County Council completed the erection of two
blocks of flats on the Dickens Estate, George Row and 32 flats
are being erected by private enterprise.
The following premises are in course of erection by the Council:—
| Position. | Number of Flats and Cottages. |
|---|---|
| Rotherhithe Street (west) | 10 cottages |
| Amos Estate | 50 flats and 1 shop |
| Redriff Estate | 45 flats and 6 shops |
| Silver Street site | 2 flats |
| Millpond Estate | 11 flats |
| Albion Yard site | 69 flats |
| Vauban Estate | 69 flats and 3 shops |
| Crosby Row site | 5 cottages 1 flat |
| Harold Estate Extension | 38 flats |
| Tanner Street site | 26 flats and 1 shop |
| Bethel Place site | 29 flats and 3 shops |
One redundant public-house was purchased and converted
into 3 flats.
OVERCROWDING.
In 1927, my predecessor, Dr. King Brown, caused a census to
be taken in order to ascertain the prevalance of overcrowding in
the Borough, and found that 2,763 families were living more than
two persons to a room. I have had a census taken on similar
lines, and in spite of unprecedented activity, on the part of the
Council in matters of housing during the last six years, the position
is still very unsatisfactory, and there are still well over 2,000
families living in overcrowded circumstances, although a con.
siderable number of the worst cases of overcrowding have been
found other accommodation.
The result of the census is, as follows:—
| Number of houses | 18,470 |
| Total number of rooms | 87,566 |
| Total number of rooms (sleeping) | 43,775 |
| Total number (living and sleeping) | 5,503 |
| Total number (living) | 38,288 |