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Of these 1,091 were found to be overcrowded and the persons
living under these conditions, 6,337. The figure of 1,091 includes
3 families with insufficient accommodation to secure proper sex
separation.
The number of new dwellings found necessary to abate the
overcrowding would be 271. This figure however includes properties
owned by the London County Council who have undertaken to
provide the requisite accommodation thus reducing the number
to 240 dwellings.
At the end of the year the Minister of Health made an Order
fixing the 1st January, 1937 as the " appointed day " for the
purpose of Section 6 of the Housing Act, 1935. This section
provides that within a period of six months every rent book or
similar document must contain prescribed particulars relating to
overcrowding.
The 1st July, 1937 is accordingly fixed as the " appointed
day " after which date overcrowding becomes an offence.
Towards the close of the year therefore, details of a scheme
for the measuring up of houses in the Borough in order to estimate
the permitted number for each house, was being considered by the
Housing Committee.
As mentioned in the opening remarks in this Section of the
Report it is not yet possible to give a definite figure as to overcrowding at December, 1936, but it is known that 62 families have
been given new accommodation by the Council whilst the London
County Council have rehoused 447 families making a total of 509.
Of these cases in 142 instances the particulars of the families were
given, i.e., number and accommodation vacated, and taking the
standard of overcrowding as laid down by the Housing Act, 1936
it was ascertained that 37 were definitely overcrowded. In addition
42 families from Clearance Areas first represented in 1935 have
been re-housed thus making a total of 79 cases of overcrowding
relieved during the year.
The following statement submitted by the Housing Inspector
shows the progress made in regard to unfit houses dealt with
under the Housing Act, 1930 (now re-enacted in Housing Act, 1936).
Notices of intention to survey served 489
Houses surveyed for prospective clearance 306
Individual Houses.
Houses or parts surveyed 49