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85
The premises have provided accommodation for approximately
6,940 persons, but despite this fact overcrowding is
very much in evidence.
At the moment of writing I am informed that there are
1,800 applications for houses still to be dealt with.
Cases of overcrowding are continually being brought to my
notice, many of which are referred to the Housing Committee
for consideration.
I append some of the cases met with during the year.
Man and wife and 9 children living in two rooms and
scullery.
Man and wife and 4 children living in one room.
Man and wife and 7 children living in two basement
rooms.
Five adults and five children living in two rooms.
Man and wife and 6 children living in two rooms.
Man and wife and 7 children living in two rooms.
Five adults and five children living in three rooms. (One
adult suffering from tuberculosis.)
Four adults and seven children living in three rooms.
(One adult suffering from tuberculosis.)
Man and wife and 6 children living in one room.
Man and wife and 5 children living in one room.
As I have already said in previous reports, overcrowding
is probably the greatest factor in the propagation of all
infectious diseases.
If the Housing conditions were ideal it is probable that all
our infectious diseases would l>e very materially lessened and
chronic infections such as Tuberculosis disappear.
I find that the London County Council spend approximately
£136,000 a year in dealing with Tuberculosis and the
Metropolitan Asylums Board about £1,200,000 in the treatment
of infectious diseases.
Better housing is the first step towards a healthier nation
and a reduction of the expenditure of such vast sums of
money in the prevention and treatment of disease.