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118
HOUSING or the WORKING CLASSES
ACT, 1890.
95 houses were represented to the Vestry by the Medical
Officer of Health, under Part II. of the Housing of the
Working Classes Act, during the year 1896, as being unfit
for human habitation, on account of the premises being
dirty, damp, dilapidated, defective in drains and sanitary
appliances, deficient in light and ventilation, having defective
sites, etc. Details are to be found in Tables on pp.
121-123.
Records of action taken under this Act in Lambeth
Parish shew that:—
6 houses were condemned in 1893.
39 „ „ „ „ 1894.
16 ,, „ „ „ 1895.
96 „ „ „ „ 1896.
In connection with the closing of houses, the question
naturally suggests itself "What is to become, or what does
become, of the displaced tenants?" and the answer is not
far to seek, unfortunately. The displaced tenants go into
houses which are not bad enough to be condemned at the
time, but which rapidly become so, with the result that, in
respect of rookeries so-called, some are abolished but
others created. This view of the subject is an important
one, and one that has given cause to pause, as the Medical
Officer is unable to reconcile himself to such a course of
action, which leaves matters practically in statu quo, unless
he is absolutely compelled by virtue of the conditions of
the dwellings themselves. In the Medical Officer's opinion,
what is really wanted is for the Vestry to first build or
provide suitable accommodation for the class of tenants
who will be displaced—a thankless duty, but one that