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During the year the common lodging-house at Nos. 2.8, Kennedy Court was
closed, on the sale of the property by the owners. Part of the common lodginghouse
at Nos. 7-11, Short's Gardens was also closed, reducing the total
accommodation to 70 males.
Accommodation on L.C.C. Estates,
During the year 56 applications for accommodation on L.C.C. estates were
submitted through the Council's Public Health Department. During the same
period information was received of 30 Holborn families for whom accommodation
was provided by the London County Council. This arrangement with the L.C.C.
is primarily to secure reduction in overcrowding, that is, to provide housing
accommodation for families residing more than two per room, but other cases of
hardship are also eligible for consideration.
With a view to preventing vermin infestation in the Council's dwellings, the
homes of applicants are inspected before the tenants are accepted and, in addition,
incoming tenants are furnished with a memorandum of advice which is explained
to them where necessary by the Public Health Staff. A careful watch is kept
by the Sanitary Inspectors and Health Visitors for the appearance of bugs in
these dwellings and the tenants are instructed as may be necessary.
Housing Schemes.
The Council has constructed two blocks of tenement dwellings, viz., Betterton
House, Betterton Street, containing 30 tenements, and Boswell House, Boswell
Court, containing 62 tenements. Many applications were made during the year
for accommodation in these dwellings, but as the movement of families occupying
the flats is rare it was possible to offer accommodation to only a very small
number of those applying.
Holborn Housing Trust, Ltd.
In the Annual Report for the year 1933, reference was made to the formation
of the Holborn Housing Trust under the Presidency of Mr. Stuart Bevan, K.C.,
M.P., and the Chairmanship of Alderman Percy Hill, L.C.C., the objects of
the Trust being the erection of working class dwellings in Holborn at the lowest
economic rent. It is a pleasure to include in this Report the following information
kindly supplied by Mrs. P. J. S. Bevan, the Honorary Secretary of the
Trust
"1934 has seen the beginning of Bevan House, Devonshire Street,
W.C. 1. Ten flats have been completed, consisting of two bedrooms, a large
living room, and bathroom, etc. There is a roof playground wired in for the
children. Of the forty -four occupants, twenty-four are children. The rent of
these flats is £1 per week, but it is hoped to reduce this later when more
shares bearing interest at 2½ per cent. have been taken up. The two
adjacent houses have been acquired by the Trust, and demolition will shortly
begin. The new building will be to the plans of Mr. R. T. Beck, A.R.I.B.A.,
in conjunction with Messrs. Elcock & Sutcliffe."