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HOUSING & SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
The year 1961 was principally one of consolidation and of the
continuing effort with respect to the clearance of unsatisfactory and
worn out houses, the improvement of the facilities and amenities
within houses in multiple occupation and the abatement of existing
cases of overcrowding and the prevention of new cases.
With regard to the vacation and clearance of unfit houses, I
could wish that it was possible to secure this with less delay than
now appears to be unavoidable but it would appear that the limited
amount of land available for redevelopment by the Council, restricts
the pace at which suitable housing in conformity with modern standards
can be offered to the persons whom it is necessary to displace.
Houses in multiple occupation are a symptom of the considerable
pressure for housing accommodation which exists in the Greater London
Area. It would appear that families arrive in this and other
boroughs without any pre-arranged accommodation and are then obliged
to accept whatever they can find available, accommodation which
might be at a very high rent, but certainly in many cases is not
provided with those facilities which are considered basic.
During the year the Housing Act, 1961, came into force and
Section 15 extended the list of matters concerning which the Council
could require adequate provision in houses in multiple occupation.
Such a house should have adequate provision with regard to
Natural and artificial lighting
Ventilation
Water Supply
Personal washing facilities
Drainage and sanitary conveniences
Facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food and
for the disposal of waste water
Installations for space heating or for the use of space heating
appliances.
The Council took advantage of the new powers and decided on
new standards and it is the responsibility of the public health
inspectors to point out to the owners and other persons having control
of houses in multiple occupation these requirements and to require
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