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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 135 families
have been recorded, in 40 of which the overcrowding was subsequently
abated by rehousing. Generally speaking however, serious
overcrowding is much reduced, and the majority of cases coming to
the notice of the department are only overcrowded to the extent
of ½ to 1 unit.
One bad instance of wilful overcrowding came to light during
the year, and strongly worded letters were sent to the landlord
and tenant, as a result of which some amelioration of the overcrowding
was secured by members of the family sleeping out at
relatives.
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 accommo
dation in use, and when desirable an inspection is carried out by
the Public Health Inspector,
These reports are then correlated with the medical certificates,
and a degree of medical priority is then allotted.
Applications for rehousing by the London County Council are
made to that body. Reports are sometimes asked for and supplied
in regard to the existing overcrowding and sanitary defects, A
very limited number are granted medical priority allocated by the
County Medical Officer of Health.
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