View report page

14
SECTION C
HOUSING
Rehousing.
During the year applications for rehousing by the Borough
Council were made to the Housing Department, 218, Goldhawk
Road, Shepherds Bush, W.12.
The Housing Estates Manager relies on the Health
Department for inspections to be made with a view to ascertaining
whether a family is living in overcrowded conditions. Enquiries
regarding these conditions are made by the Sanitary
Inspectors, and where found to exist, the appropriate report is
forwarded for submission to the L.C.C.
In many cases the Housing Estates Manager forwards
certificates supporting the family's application on medical
grounds, and careful consideration is given that recommendations
are made only for the most urgent cases, having regard to
the nature of the illness, the condition of the premises and the
amenities available.
Applications for rehousing by the London County Council
are made to that authority direct, and requests are received
from them through the Housing Estates Manager, for similar
enquiries to be made. In cases where there is medical evidence
the Medical Officer of Health to the London County Council
is responsible for allocating priorities on health grounds.
Reports are also asked for and supplied in regard to existing
overcrowding and sanitary condition of premises.
Enquiries of this nature totalled 395 and of them 178 families
were found, upon investigation, to be living in overcrowded
conditions.
Thirty cases were recommended for rehousing on grounds of
health. In addition to the above, a recommendation for rehousing
was made to the Borough Council's Housing Department
in cases where the applicant represented a recently married
family who were expecting a baby, or where there were young
children already living in unhygienic surroundings which are
inadequate to maintain the high level of health which is so vital
to the family unit in its early stages. In spite of the many claims
made upon them, the Housing Department do the best they can
in each case. During the year 17 such recommendations were
made to the Housing Estates Manager.
These figures show that in less than 25% of applications for
rehousing on medical grounds, I supported the application. It
also shows that in 75% or thereabouts of persons presenting
medical certificates, I find myself unable to support the applicant.