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success of this scheme will, doubtless, be an incentive
to further efforts in the same direction.
There are, however, difficulties in the way of housing
schemes in the Borough, although they are not insurmountable.
Fulham is already much built up and
very little land is available for any purpose for which
it is not already in use. According to the last available
figures the density of population was 50 per cent.
greater in this Borough than in London as a whole
(i.e., the Administrative County of London, including
the City), but as there were so many houses to the acre
the actual housing accommodation was equal to the
average for London Boroughs. Great discretion will
be required in the choice of sites in order to preserve
a sufficient area of open spaces which are necessary,
from the health point of view, for the purpose of providing
fresh air, rest, recreation and change of scene.
Patches of green should be encouraged as a contrast
to the eternal prospect of bricks and mortar.
Borough Councils have power under the Housing
Act not only to acquire vacant land, but also land
already built up, as sites for the erection of dwelling
houses for the working classes, and they may also
adapt existing buildings by altering, repairing, improving
or enlarging them.
All these questions have received, and are still
receiving, consideration at the present time by the
appropriate Committees.
Housing Conditions.
Year ending 31st December, 1926.
Number of new houses erected during the year :—
(a) Total 36
(b) With State Assistance under the Housing Acts,
1919, 1923 or 1924:—
(i.) By the Local Authority 36
(ii.) By other bodies or persons 0
1. Unfit dwelling-houses :—
(1) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for
housing defects (under Public Health or Housing
Acts) 3,072