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One cannot pretend that this table represents an accurate
picture of the housing position because in fairness it must be said that
many couples married in the area obviously take up residence out—
side the Borough; but this exodus is partially offset by the fact that
new dwellings built in the Borough by the L.C.C. are often allocated
to non-residents and the status quo therefore largely remains. As
new accommodation is seldom assigned to the recently married, the
inference is that they take ' rooms ' often with parents or relations.
This is a disturbing feature because psychologically it is unsound and
frequently leads to disharmony in the home.
Slum Clearance.—As intimated earlier in this section, slum
clearance remains the only practical method left for urban authorities
to obtain space for new housing. In common with other
Metropolitan Boroughs slum clearance becomes a joint responsibility
between the Borough Council and the County Council and
arrangements usually cover periods of 5 years.
During the year an area, comprising 21 properties in Little
Heath, which was represented for slum clearance by the Council
during the latter half of 1953 was confirmed by the Minister for
Housing and Local Government on 27th May of the current year.
Further areas in Roan Street and Haddo Street have been represented
and are awaiting official confirmation.
Surveys of areas which might be represented for clearance are
in hand in accordance with Part I of the Housing Repairs and Rents
Act, 1964.
Re-Housing.—
(a) Borough Council.—There were 32 new dwellings provided
by the Council during the year and the number of families housed
and re-housed including transfers, casual voids, etc., amounted to
291. Of this number 9 were in respect of overcrowded cases and
4 in respect of closures under the Housing Act.