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91
During the inter-censal period 1901-11, when the population
of the Borough increased by 33,000, no less than 8,655 new houses
were occupied, equivalent to one additional house for about every
4 persons, and when the Census of 1911 was taken, the average
number of persons per house was 5.6. Between 1911 and 1921,
the increase in the population was 13,360, so that to maintain the
1911 standard of occupancy 2,385 new houses should have been
erected between 1911 and 1921. Actually, owing, of course, to the
War, only 1,200 houses were erected during this period.
During the past 4 years, 1,126 houses have been erected by
private enterprise, but as these have been erected for sale and not
for letting, it is doubtful whether they have to any extent relieved
the situation which has existed since the War.
In investigating several cases of overcrowding which have been
brought to my notice from time to time, I find that the overcrowding
has been produced by the inability of persons, who at one time were
suitably accommodated, but were placed in great hardship by reason
of increase in the number of their family, to obtain better accommodation.
From my personal knowledge and experience, I believe the
class of home that is required most in this district is to meet those
whose incomes are in the neighbourhood of £3 per week, and from
my interviews with many of them, I am of opinion that the maximum
rent they could afford would be in the neighbourhood of 12s.
to 14s. per week.
The public find it difficult to understand the shortage of houses
when they know that two large estates, Bellingham and Downham,
have been erected by the London County Council, and it is very
difficult to convince them that these houses are for the whole of
London and not for Lewisham in particular, and that only a small
proportion of them are available for Lewisham residents.
I have no doubt in my own mind that there is urgent need for a
housing scheme to relieve the unsatisfactory conditions which exist.
"Under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, the Ministry
of Health, on behalf of the Council, acquired 36 houses in the Borough,
which were converted into 119 flats, which were let at rentals varying
between £24 and £60.
In order to provide additional accommodation, the Council in the
latter part of 1919 acquired an area consisting of about 9 acres in
Lewisham Park, and erected 86 houses, which are let at inclusive rentals
of between 17s. l1d. and 23s. l1d. per week".
"The number of rooms overcrowded, from the legal point of view
of actual cubic space, which came to my notice during the year was 113.
This number of course represents only overcrowded conditions discovered
by the Sanitary Inspectors and in the course of their ordinary
work, or during the routine house-to-house inspections. Figures in
regard to overcrowding, however, afford little indication of the congested
conditions under which many hundreds of families are living. The
problem is to a great extent an economic one, as it can be readily