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90
HOUSING.
In the Report for 1934 it was pointed out that housing had grown to
occupy such an important place in the work of the Public Health Department
that, in consequence, it was likely to be found necessary to retain
in some form or other the special staff organisation which was instituted
for the purpose of the earlier survey under the 1930 Act. This has been
done and a distinctive section of the staff has been formed within the
department, and, it is satisfactory to report, functioning efficiently.
Reference has been made in previous reports to a comprehensive
Housing survey of working class dwelling houses carried out under the
provisions of the Housing Act of 1930. This was initiated late in 1933 and
completed in July, 1935. The object of this survey was to ascertain
within a reasonably limited period any areas which might be considered
suitable for clearance in addition to those already scheduled for such
action, and generally to assess the housing needs of the working class
population of the City. Particular attention was paid to basement occupation,
overcrowding and otherwise unsatisfactory accommodation due to
insanitary or other defective structural condition of houses and absence
of reasonable amenities.

The large blocks of dwellings in the ownership of the City Council,
the London County Council and Public Utility Societies and Trusts were
excluded from this survey because apart from any incidental overcrowding
housing conditions in them did not call for special attention.
Valuable information has been obtained from the survey, some of the
most useful points being:—
(a) the number of families and the population living in working class
houses, the distribution of such families and the localities in
which the principal wage earners are employed;
(b) details concerning the lay-out and condition of every basement,
together with the manner of occupation;