London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hammersmith 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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19
Blythe Road is one of the oldest roads in the Borough,
being known prior to 1889 as Blythe Lane, and is narrow and
winding throughout most of its length. The opportunity was
then taken to re-align the road in this vicinity.
The Council acts as landlords for 3,872 principal tenants.
The properties managed include houses, flats, pre-fabs and
requisitioned accommodation.
At the end of the year there were 5,672 applicants for
accommodation on the Borough Council's list awaiting rehousing.
No points scheme is used to assess these applicants. Their need,
according to bedroom deficiency, ill-health, insanitary conditions,
overcrowding and separation of families is measured and used
as a guide in allocating houses.
The following table illustrates the progress that is being made:—
| 1. | Number of families rehoused by the Borough Council in new flats since the war | 874 |
| 2. | Number of families rehoused by the Borough Council in rebuilt houses since the war | 30 |
| 3. | Number of families rehoused by the Borough Council in prefabricated dwellings since the war (Still living in pre-fabricated dwellings at end of year, 48). | 80 |
| 4. | Number of Borough Council licensees living in requisitioned properties at the end of the year | 1566 |
Overcrowding (Section 61).
Three licences were granted under Section 61 of the Housing
Act, 1936, authorising a number of persons in excess of the
permitted number as specified in the licence to sleep in a house.
Building Licences.
By the direction of the Minister of Housing and Local
Government on 10th November, 1954, the necessity for obtaining
licences to carry out work was dispensed with. Up to that date
the original arrangements for dealing with applicants was still
in operation and the Sanitary Inspectors continued to investigate
and report upon all applications.
Applications received 8
Licences issued 8