View report page

35
a Sanitary Authority is powerless and can only insist (and
ought to insist), that a pro rata amount of accommodation be
provided before any displacement of persons is allowed to
take place, and further, that such accommodation be suitable,
as it is clearly necessary that the style of accommodation, as
well as the cheapness of the rents, should suit those who
have been displaced. Unfortunately, this is not at present
the case, as it is quite the exception for displaced tenants to
be rehoused in the houses provided, e.g., Russell Gardens
(built by the S.E. Railway) in Felix Street, the new buildings
having, as a rule, to be let at increased rents, as otherwise
they would not give a sufficient monetary return for money
expended in site, construction, etc. Displaced tenants have
to seek accommodation elsewhere, as a consequence.
What is wanted is a separate self-contained house (whether
in form of tenements in blocks, flats, or cottages), and at a
small rent of (maximum) 2s. per room, for the ordinary
working classes, together with model lodging-houses for the
very poor (male and female). Such are the kinds of dwellings
that ought to be insisted upon before displacement, and in
the same or immediate neighbourhood. It is clear that, with
land at its present price, such accommodation can only be
provided at a financial loss (more or less), whether the
schemes be carried out by private owners (or companies), or
by sanitary authorities, in which latter case the loss might
be met out of the rates. Part III. of the Housing of the
Working Classes Act gives power to the London County
Council to erect dwellings or lodging-houses for the working
classes, either by building on land (compulsorily or otherwise
purchased), or by altering existing buildings.
The above two conditions as to amount and kind of accommodation
are very important, and in the future will, it is
hoped, be in every case insisted upon. The former condition
(as to a pro rata amount) certainly will be, owing to the firm