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31
(2) Sufficiency of Supply of Houses.
Undoubtedly there is in the Borough a shortage of house accommodation at
reasonable rents for the working-classes. A number of industries in and adjacent
to the Borough (e.g., central vegetable and fruit and meat markets, hotels and
restaurants, printing (newspaper) works, etc.) calls for a supply of workers residing
near their places of employment. Also there is a large number of single women or
widows employed as office cleaners whose hours of labour and limited income
prevent residence away from Central London with its consequent extra time and
cost for travelling. At the same time the value of land in the Borough is so high
that its acquisition becomes impracticable for the construction of houses to be let
at rents within the means of working-class families.
(3) Overcrowding.
The extent of overcrowding is less than might be expected if the standard is
taken of cubic space per person required by the By-laws as to houses let in lodgings.
It will be seen from a report on the survey of a working-class ward in the Borough
(pages 35-44) that only 13 cases of overcrowding were detected. Two of these
cases were dealt with by an alteration in the sleeping arrangements without the
tenants being required to vacate the holding although in one case the alteration
was not made until after legal proceedings had been taken. In all 14 cases of
overcrowding were dealt with during the year.
(4) Fitness of Houses.
With a view to Closing Orders being made 15 houses were represented by the
Medical Officer of Health as unfit for human habitation. In two of these (adjoining
houses the property of one owner) notices were served under Section 3 of the
Housing Act, 1925. The owner carried out all the work specified and so rendered
both houses fit for habitation. In 11 cases Closing Orders were made, nine of
which became operative. In two cases appeals were entered; one resulted in a
schedule of work to render the premises fit for human habitation being agreed
between the Council and the owner; in the second the Closing Order was quashed.
One of the 15 houses represented was closed and demolished as a dangerous
structure before a Closing Order could be made. The remaining house has since
been dealt with in accordance with the procedure provided by the Housing Act,
1930; a Demolition Order was made in, this case in February, 1931.
With the exception of 18 houses referred to below all the dwelling-houses in
the Borough have an adequate internal water supply provided by the Metropolitan
Water Board.
Of the 18 houses with no such internal water supply 15 have an adequate
supply in yards within the curtilages of the premises. In three cases the water
supply is entirely separated from the dwelling. These three small houses were
formerly dwellings over stables; the ground floors, no longer used as stables, are
in separate occupation. Water supply for the occupiers of the residential portions
of these premises is from a draw-off tap in the mews in which the houses are
situated; the tap is in reasonably close proximity to the three houses.