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714
HOUSING.
Almost all the houses in the southern part of the Borough,
although originally constructed for only one family each, now
accommodate two or more families.
In few if any cases is it possible to prove technical overcrowding,
when the legal standard of the Bye-laws governing houses let in
lodgings is applied. But the rough rule of two persons to a room
is frequently exceeded, and sometimes grossly.
Moreover, it is not only the overcrowding by whatever measure
expressed that represents the whole of the problem. When a house
designed for one family houses four, it is clear that without very
considerable reconstruction such a house cannot possess the
elementary need of four homes. Thus there is frequently a lack of
what are commonly regarded in civilised society as necessary
amenities; such as adequate arrangements for the storage, preparation
and cooking of food; facilities for personal washing and
for the washing and drying of clothes and a readily available water
supply for all purposes. Sub-tenants with young children are
frequently denied the use of any garden space available, and "prams"
may have to be carried daily up and down three difficult flights of
stairs. These and other disabilities press especially heavily upon
the mother and young children in the home.
The London County Council Housing Estates at Tottenham,
Lewisham, Hendon and Becontree during 1927 have received a
considerable number of Stoke Newington families specially recommended
by the Medical Officer of Health following careful inquiry
by the Inspectors. Families have been recommended primarily
on grounds of overcrowding, but other factors of medical importance
have been taken into consideration. It is important to note that
the County Authorities require that the applicant shall have means