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29
Accommodation on L.C.C. Estates.
During the year 51 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 37 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.
Holborn Housing Trust, Ltd.
In the previous Annual Reports reference was made to the formation of
the Holborn Housing Trust under the Presidency of the late 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. The following report is kindly supplied by Mrs. P. J. S. Bevan,
the Honorary Secretary of the Trust :—
The Committee deeply regrets to report the death of the President, Mr.
Stuart Bevan, K.C., M.P. His wise judgment and keen interest will be much
missed. They also regret to report the resignation of Councillor Mullen from
the Committee, but welcome Mrs. Elliott, the Rev. W. C. Roberts and Mr.
E. C. Harris, F.S.I.
The Committee has to report a year of steady progress. The tenancies
of Bevan House continue unchanged, and are proving most satisfactory. The
tenants have expressed their appreciation of the flats and the Committee is
grateful to them for some constructive suggestions, many of which will be
incorporated in future buildings. The two adjoining houses Nos. 38 and 39,
Devonshire Street, have been demolished, and a block of twelve three-roomed
flats, with four single-roomed flats at the rear, are now being erected by Messrs.
C. P. Roberts & Co., Ltd., to the designs of Messrs. Elcock and Sutcliffe and
Mr. R. T. Beck. The estimated cost of these is £8,015, and it is hoped that
they will be in occupation by May.
The Trust feels particularly satisfied that it is enabled to build these singleroomed
flats, as the need for such accommodation is urgent, and much
appreciated.
Nos. 40, 41 and 43, Devonshire Street have also been acquired by the
Trust with a view to development in the near future.
The Committee is glad to report that the Holborn Borough Council has
appointed a delegate to the Committee with a view to a full use being made
of the advantages afforded by the Housing Act of 1935.
The Committee is glad of the opportunity of expressing their gratitude to
the Holborn Borough Council for their ready co-operation.