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

Hampstead 1936

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hampstead Borough]

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(1) Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect
of which Closing Orders were made22
(2) Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect
of which Closing Orders were determined, the tenement or
room having been rendered fitNil.
Housing Act, 1935—Overcrowding:—
(a) (i) Number of dwellings overcrowded at the end of the year395
(ii) Number of families dwelling therein395
(iii) Number of persons dwelling therein1907
(b) Number of new cases of overcrowding reported during the
year8
(c) (i) Number of cases of overcrowding relieved during the year62
(ii) Number of persons concerned in such cases194
(d) Particulars of any cases in which dwelling-houses have again
become overcrowded after the Local Authority have taken
steps for the abatement of overcrowdingNil.
(e) Any other particulars with respect to overcrowding conditions
upon which the Medical Officer of Health may consider it
desirable to reportNil.

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The housing question would be easier of solution if it were one
calling only for the provision of additional accommodation. The
economic factor is a most important one and probably the least easy
to overcome. Most overcrowded families are so situated through no
fault of their own. The suggestion which has been made that accommodation
can be provided by a process of redistribution is not easily
applicable in Hampstead, as it is found that an undue proportion of the
income of so many families is already spent in rent; and even though
other rooms may become vacant in the houses in which the overcrowded
families reside, they are unable to pay for the additional
accommodation required. In the Ministry of Health's Circular dated
the 1st of January, 1937, it was pointed out that the overcrowding is
to be abated by finding the occupier "a house of a suitable size, suitably
situated and suitably rented, in which he and his family can lead
a healthy and comfortable life." As matters stand at present it does
not appear to be easy to house in Hampstead a large family with a
low wage under conditions that are indicated by the Ministry of
Health.