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The foregoing does not represent the total amount of work done in
the direction of improving the housing of the population, for much of the
general sanitary work of the Department is devoted entirely to the
improvement of dwelling houses, but the procedure indicated above has
proved by its results to be of such value as to merit further and
prolonged trial.
In view of the great amount of clerical work involved in the
preparation of schedules, keeping of records, &c., it was found necessary
to add to the clerical staff, and in March, 1921, Mr. C. W. Francis was
appointed as Housing Clerk.
Progress in dealing with this class of property is not as rapid as
could be wished, but it has to be remembered that owing to prevailing
conditions it is found much more expedient to get the necessary work
done by negotiation rather than by exerting our legal powers under the
Housing Acts. As a matter of fact the law as contained in the various
Housing Acts relating to procedure in dealing with insanitary property
is somewhat involved ; and in addition it has not been found to be practicable
to put Closing Orders on premises, because of the lack of
accommodation for tenants who would have been displaced.
No progress has been made during the year in the demolition of
insanitary areas, and apart from the erection by the Borough Council of
the buildings at South End Green, very little additional accommodation
has been provided. Beyond the few sites remaining unbuilt on in the
Borough, the housing question in Hampstead is now largely one of
dealing with worn-out or dilapidated premises; and of adapting existing
accommodation to the altered conditions of letting; thus ensuring that
proper sanitary arrangements are made for the extra number of families
now living in houses originally intended for one family, and to
preventing overcrowding as far as possible.