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104
The small, aged, and decaying cottage properties are anachronisms
in the City of Westminster where land is so scarce and so valuable. They
are occupying sites on which where one family is housed now, four or
five could be accommodated if the site were released and developed to
full advantage. The main factor in stifling development is the operation
of protection given to controlled tenants. In many instances business
premises or residential flats could also be erected on these sites, thus
raising rateable value ; some measure of compensation for the annual
loss which the local authority must bear when it provides flats for the
working classes.
The largre tenement houses, most of them structurally sound, require
improvement in internal arrangements. Their lack of amenities and
their basements require some comprehensive measure whether by means
of public utility societies in co-operation with the local authority or by
the owners themselves with the advice of the local authority. Decontrol
implies the addition of amenities required, in the tenement house bylaws,
but suspended during the period of control. Decontrol and added
amenities will, almost certainly result in higher rents. It is most unlikely
that these tenement houses in Westminster once decontrolled and improved
will remain working class houses. Already in Victoria Ward at
the present time some houses, formerly controlled working class tenements,
are now, in parts, becoming decontrolled flats with sinks, cooking
facilities and separate w.cs. The rents are considerably higher than
those of working class dwellings.
Re-housing Operations.— During the year 186 families were rehoused
by the City Council and 82 by the London County Council, making a
total of 208 families.