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SECTION 3.
HOUSING
SERVICE OF HOUSING NOTICES
The Public Health and Housing Acts were intended to improve health
by removing "slum" properties and relief of overcrowding, but since the
war factors have arisen which make it difficult to use our legislative powers
to the definite advantage of the community.
The standard of housing varies from district to district and what constitutes
an "unfit" house in one area appears to be tolerated in another.
As far as health is concerned we should try to preserve a balance between
bad housing and overcrowded conditions. In a district where overcrowding
is prevalent then lower structural standards might have to be tolerated
temporarily; but as overcrowding is abated an increasing number of houses
may be classified as unfit.
Ill-health may follow life in a structurally defective house but we must
be careful not to exaggerate its effect. In the past, for example, dampness
was regarded as a cause of chronic chest conditions or as a cause of
rheumatic fever. Though overcrowding may be a contributory cause of
these conditions, dampness alone can be responsible for no more than
lowering of resistance generally to disease.
More insidious therefore is ill-health caused by overcrowding. The
trauma it causes may be more emotional than physical; and the bickering
between ill-matched relatives in a congested home may aggravate this
emotional tension. This is especially so when of long duration; and may
give rise to chronic ill-health in later life.
Diseases of "stress" such as chronic rheumatism, duodenal ulcer, and
coronary thrombosis are today much more common than the infectious
diseases prevalent in days gone by.
Relief of overcrowding, particularly of more than one family, is the
primary housing need today; and an overcrowded family living in a luxury
flat may be in an environment potentially more dangerous to health than
a family living in a caravan.
From the angle of preventive medicine and public health it is the
conditions under which people live rather than defects of housing structure
which must take priority.
CAMPSBOURNE CLEARANCE AREA
The first stage commenced in October, 1949, is well in hand and 65
new dwellings are in course of construction.
In April 1951 the Council resolved, pursuant to Section 25 of the
Housing Act, 1936, that the following properties be included in an area
declared to be a Clearance Area for the purpose of the Act:—
Nos. 6—56 (even) inclusive, Boyton Road.
Nos. 19—25 (odd) inclusive, Boyton Road.
Nos. 1 and 3 Eastfield Road.
At the same time the Council made a Compulsory Purchase Order under
Section 29 of the Act which included all these properties.
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