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85
The Registrar-General adopts as a density standard by which to judge
overcrowding the proportion of private-family population living with
more than two persons per room. Westminster stands seventh lowest
on this list, with 7,223 persons, or 7.1 per cent. This compares well with
the Westminster figures for 1921 of 11,364 or 10.1 per cent. This figure
is highest in Finsbury, 29.4 per cent., and lowest in Hampstead and
Lewisham, each with 4.1 per cent.
It will thus be seen from these figures of population with regard to
housing accommodation, that Westminster stands in a comparatively
favourable position. It must be realized, of course, that statistical
comparison between boroughs which show great variation in their local
conditions must not be stressed unduly. The point of outstanding importance
is that the figures for Westminster in 1931 show in every instance a
marked improvement on the corresponding figures for the preceding
census of 1921.
Grosvenor Housing Scheme.
Two more blocks of dwellings, comprising 225 flats, were completed
and occupied during the year. There are now 5 blocks containing 379
flats, fully occupied. Another large block of 141 flats is expected to be
finished and ready for occupation by October next. The remaining block
of 84 flats will not be commenced until after the leases end in 1934. The
site of this proposed last block is occupied by business firms, and it is
hardly worth while to take steps to displace these firms, pay compensation,
and incur legal and other incidental expenses in connection therewith
for the sake of a few months.
Re-housing Operations.—During the year 300 families were rehoused
by the City Council and 97 by the London County Council, making a
total of 397 families.