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67
HOUSING DEPARTMENT
In 1938 the Council decided to establish a Housing Department, and Miss H. Alford, of Kensington,
was appointed as Housing Manager, taking up her duties in May. The Housing Welfare
Adviser was transferred to this new Department. Prior to the creation of this Department the
housing activities of the Council were divided amongst several other Departments, the Public Health
Department being responsible for the referencing and allocation to their new flats of tenants from
clearance areas and for the receipt, classification, and referencing of applications from other Fulham
residents desiring accommodation in Council flats. The Public Health Department still deals with
applications for accommodation on the London County Council estates, as these applications are
made mainly on account of overcrowding, ill-health or insanitary condition of the premises, and
certificates have to be given by the Medical Officer of Health regarding the alleged need for accommodation.
DISINFESTATION
During the year the household effects of 217 families were disinfested by the HCN process
prior to accommodation in Council flats, the bedding and bed linen being treated by the Council's
own steam apparatus. Although the rehousing of tenants is now undertaken by the Housing Department,
the sanitary inspectors continue to supervise the loading and unloading of the furniture for the
disinfestation process.
A total of 446 rooms were treated for vermin by spraying or fumigation by sulphur. The
issuing of small hand sprays filled with a special solution to tenants was continued and 76 issues of
such sprays were made during the year.
The following are particulars relating to eradication of bed bugs in the form desired by the
Minister of Health:—
*(1) The number of (a) Council Houses found to 32 (97 rooms).
be infested
Disinfested by Council 32 (97 rooms).
The number of (b) other houses found to be
infested 637 rooms.
Disinfested by Council 349 rooms.
Disinfested by Owners 288 rooms.
(2) The methods employed for freeing infested Fumigation by sulphur and formalin or spraying
houses from bed bugs. by insecticides (Pyagra and Zaldecide) after
stripping of rooms and treatment with a blow
lamp.
(3) The methods employed for ensuring that the The furniture of all new tenants is subjected to
belongings of tenants are free from vermin HCN disinfestation and bedding to steam.
before removal to Council houses.
(4) Whether the work of disinfestation is carried HCN work by a Contractor; other work by
out by the Local Authority or by a con- Council.
tractor.
* All Council flats becoming vacant are disinfested as a routine measure before redecoration, and the 32
flats given above were all dealt with for this reason.