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44
As a result of the extensive action taken during the last
four years, with the exception of 2 houses, representations have
now been made in respect of all the properties scheduled in the
1956/60 programme, agreed between the Council and the London
County Council.
Inspections:
In all, a total of 536 house to house inspections were made
during the year mainly by the two Inspectors engaged on resurveying
the King Square areas.
Of all the areas so far represented to the Council under the
Housing Acts, the combined King Square Area is by far the largest
in extent and contains more houses than any other area previously
dealt with by the Department.
Overcrowding:
It is difficult to estimate the extent of overcrowding in
the borough-either overcrowding based on the purely legal
standard or what may well be considered to be overcrowding of
families living in cramped conditions necessitating the use of
kitchens as bedrooms, but not legally overcrowded. At the
beginning of 1957 a register was started of overcrowded families,
coming to the notice of the Department. Since then details of
some 78 families have been recorded, in 20 of which the overcrowding
was subsequently abated by rehousing. At the end of the year
there were 58 cases on the register. Generally speaking however,
serious overcrowding is much reduced and the majority of cases
coming to the notice of the department are invariably overcrowded
to the extent of ½ to 1 unit.
Pour new instances of wilful overcrowding came to light
during the year. In each case strongly worded letters were sent
to the landlord and tenant, and in each instance the overcrowding
was subsequently abated.
Rehousing:
Applications for rehousing by the Borough Council are made
to the Housing Manager and these have been assessed for some years
according to a points scheme. When accompanied by medical
certificates to support the application on medical grounds, these
have been referred to the Medical Officer of Health. Enquiries
are then made by the Nurse/Visitor into the detailed nature of
the family health, and the apparent bearing on this of the
accommodation in use, and when desirable, an inspection is carried
out by the Public Health Inspector.