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-17-
Overcrowding.
During the year thero has boon an increase in the number of
premises overcrowded. In all overcrowding was abated in 196
dwellings, but 259 fresh cases were discovered. At the end of •
the year there were 1064- overcrowded dwellings in the Borough,
involving 1244 families and 5952 persons. The increase shown is
probably due in some degree to the return of families home after
the Ear. In many cases, son3 and daughters have married whilst
in H.M,Forces, and on their demobilisation have returned to their
parents homos until they can find their own accommodation.
There have been some cases of whole families moving into the
Borough from other districts, usually right outside London, over
crowding themselves and then seeking the assistance of the local
authorities to find them accommodation as priority cases.
Fortunately there have not been many of such cases, and illegal
overcrowding as a whole has not been extensive, The shortage of
accommodation has made the strict enforcement of the overcrowding
sections of the Act difficult, and it has been the procedure of
the department to deal with such cases informally where possible
In all cases the co-operation of owners and landlords has been
sought, and each time the overcrowding has boon abated to the
satisfaction of all concerned without recourse to legal action,
The overcrowding figures given still indicate a far too high
percentage of dwellings occupied by members of more than one
family. There must bo many more dwellings in the Borough which
are so occupied without being overcrowded. This is a grave
social evil to which the only remedy appears to be the provision
of more,and more houses.
During the year 253 families living In overcrowded conditions
applied to the London County Council for rehousing. The appropriate
recommendation form was submitted in each case.