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33
Housing
The duties of the Housing section of the Public Health
Department are divided between action under the Housing Act
in relation to overcrowded, unfit and insanitary premises, and
negotiations between the London County Council, the Council's
Housing Manager and other authorities in connection with
applications for rehousing on grounds of medical necessity, overcrowding
and insanitary conditions.
Work in connection with the Housing Act has been carried
out during the year by one inspector only, the appointment to
replace the second Housing Act inspector (who retired early in
the year) not having been made. Nevertheless, a considerable
amount of work has been completed and was in progress during
the year.
HOUSING ACT, 1936
Insanitary houses capable of repair at reasonable expense
(Section 9)
Although it was not considered practicable to serve formal
notices under Section 9 of the Act, the system of issuing "informal"
notioes on the person having control of the house has
been continued. Four hundred and forty-one notices were
issued requesting voluntary action by the owner, and 205
houses have been rendered fit for habitation. A total of 456
inspections and 2,537 re-inspections were made during the
year.
The work involved was comprehensive and the amount
expended considerable. For instance, in the case of Victoria
House and Louise House, two blocks of tenement flats in Blendon
Row, the cost of repairs exceeded £2,600, whilst for houses
in Pollock Road it approached the sum of £8,000. These
repairs, which were required to make the premises fit for
habitation, included amongst other items extensive plaster
work, complete redecoration, roof renewals and thorough overhauls,
window repairs and replacements throughout, provision
of food cupboards, and the necessary installation of a sink and
water supply where necessary.
Insanitary houses incapable of repair at reasonable expenses
(Section 11)
The following premises were represented during the year
and Demolition Orders made or undertakings not to re-let
accepted accordingly.