Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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30
The number of cases of overcrowding abated during the year were recorded as
having been dealt with in the following manner:—
Accommodation provided by London County Council 51
Accommodation provided by Borough Council 5
Accommodation secured otherwise 27
Abatement by alteration in constitution of family 4
87
The Housing of the Working Classes Committee of the Council continued to
give attention to the provision of new housing accommodation for the further
abatement of overcrowding. As a result the Council on the 11th November,
approved a scheme on a site in New North Street (referred to above). The scheme
provides for the erection of a block of 45 flats, consisting of 8 flats of 3 rooms,
34 of 4 rooms, 1 of 5 rooms, and 2 of 6 rooms. The total number of persons who
could be accommodated in these flats on the basis of 1½ persons per room is 265.
The total number of persons who would be displaced by the demolitions incidental
to the scheme is 246.
At the end of the year a further scheme for the erection of 49 flats on a site
on the Northern side of East Street was being considered by the Committee. It
is hoped that in the report for 1937, it will be possible to record a considerable
advance in connection with these two proposed housing schemes.
Rehousing.
The Council continued to take advantage of the agreement with the London
County Council for the provision of rehousing accommodation for families
displaced by this Council's operations under the Housing Act, 1930. During the
year 9 cases were approved by the Council for inclusion in the agreement and of
these, 5 families had been rehoused by the end of the year.
Regulations as to Underground Rooms.
On the 8th January, 1936, the Council prescribed regulations for securing the
proper ventilation and lighting of rooms to which Section 18 (1) of the Housing
Act, 1925 (now Section 12 of the Housing Act, 1936), applies, and the protection
thereof from dampness, effluvia or exhalation. The regulations were submitted
to the Minister of Health, and approved by him on the 20th February, 1936. These
regulations repeal the regulations as to underground rooms habitually used as
sleeping places which were prescribed by the Council on the 3rd December, 1914,
and to which consent of the Local Government Board was given on the 2nd
February, 1915.
Overcrowding Survey.
The preliminary survey of overcrowding was completed early in 1936, and a
summary of the results was given in last year's Annual Report'. During the early
part of the year under review, the measurement of rooms in all the houses covered
by the survey was completed.
Holborn Housing Trust.
The extension of Bevan House, Devonshire Street, referred to in my Annual
Report for 1935, consisting of 12 three-room flats and 4 one-room flats, was