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Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
HOUSING.
I—GENERAL HOUSING CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
(1) The general housing conditions in this Borough are fairly
satisfactory. The congestion which existed has been to
some extent lessened by the erection of new houses, the
conversion of houses into flats, and to the removal of
families from the Borough to other parts of London and
to the provinces.
(2) (a) Extent of shortage of house's.—The average number
of houses for the working classes built during the years 1909,
1910, and 1911, was 600, and this number seems to express fairly
accurately the normal requirements of the Borough. From 1912
to 1919 the average number erected was only 150, a difference of
'50, so that if building during the last nine years had been at the
same rate as in the previous four years there would have been
4,050 more houses erected.
If from this 4,050 there is deducted the total number of
empty houses at the census of 1911, viz., 2,600, and the number
erected and occupied during 1920, this would give 1,308 as
the extent of shortage of houses, provided the population
increased at the same rate as in the previous decennial period.
(b) Measures taken or contemplated to meet any shortage.—
The number of houses erected by the Council and occupied during
1920 was 64, and erected by private builders 44, a total of 108.
In addition the Council has converted nine houses into 34 flats.
There are also at present 512 houses in course of erection by the
Council and 10 by private builders.
Lay-out plans have now been approved for the erection of
1,143 houses on the following sites :—
Magdalen Park.
Watney Estate.
Furzedown Estate.
Elmwood Estate.
(3) No important change has taken place in the population
during the year, and none is anticipated in the future.
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