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104
an additional subsidy per tertement not exceeding £1 17s 6d.
In view, however, of the fall in the rate of interest payable, consideration
of the matter in relation to the St. John's College buildings
was adjourned until the whole of the Estate was completed.
Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill, 1932.
In this connection it may be noted that in December 1932 a
Bill was introduced into the Houses of Parliament with a view
to abolishing the Government subsidy in respect of all schemes
which had not been approved prior to the 7th December.
In the same Bill it was proposed to empower the Minister of
Health to reimburse Local Authorities part of the loss sustained
by them under guarantees to Building or Public Utility Societies
where the proposal to guarantee had been approved by the Minister.
This guarantee only applies to houses intended to be let to members
of the working classes and it can extend only to the principal and
interest on two thirds of the amount advanced in excess of the
amount which a Society would normally advance. In the event
of default the Government would reimburse one half of the loss.
This Bill, however, had not at the end of the year become law.
During the year a voluntary organisation, known as the
Battersea Housing Association, was inaugurated. This Association
has as its object the provision of accommodation for working class
families, mainly by reconditioning and the conversion of large houses
into separate tenements.
Three houses were, by private enterprise, erected during the
year in St. James's Road.
Overcrowding.
While in the Borough as a whole (as pointed out in previous
Annual reports) there is no overcrowding, there is still a considerable
amount of local overcrowding in certain areas of the Borough, and
until adequate provision is made for the accommodation of that
element of the population unable to afford the rents demanded for
new houses, the problem of overcrowding is still far from being solved.
During the year 33 applications for housing accommodation
were referred to the London County Council for special consideration
on the grounds of hardship or overcrowding. The following table
shows the result of such action:—
Referred in
previous
years but
not then
dealt with.
Referred
in
1932.
Total.
Families accommodated 12 6 18
Offer declined or applicant otherwise
suited 5 15 20
Recommendation not accepted by the
London County Council 8 6 1 14
Still under consideration - 6 6
Totals 25 33 58
# Includes three cases in which the recommendation had been previously not accepted by the
London County Council.