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6
insanitary conditions have had to be tolerated on account of the war. Damage has resulted
from bomb and blast. It is absolutely essential that existing premises shall be rendered fit
for human habitation pending the construction of new dwellings and the demolition of existing
ones.
There are already twelve thousand families on the waiting list for new accommodation,
a large proportion of whom are living in totally unsatisfactory conditions. Were it not for the
work of the sanitary inspectors this waiting list would be even higher, for quite a large number
of applicants for re-housing base their claim upon insanitary conditions. The remedying of these
defects often keeps families off the re-housing list, others it provides with tolerable comfort
until the Council can find them alternative accommodation. As I see the position today there
can be no let-up in work associated with the remedy of insanitary conditions in existing houses.
On the other hand it will increase until houses or flats are provided in such number that it will be
possible to pull down and destroy for ever unsatisfactory and worn out accommodation.
During the course of the year I was asked to advise as to 878 housing applications and
to assess the urgency of the case. My recommendations were as follows:
A (Urgent priority) 565
B (Urgent priority—less serious) 175
C (General waiting list) 80
D (No special consideration) 58
This somewhat dismal resume of the position should be judged in the light of the Council's
housing proposals and schemes in hand. In the early part of 1948, the Council's tenancies
were as follows:—
On estates 1,204
In requisitioned houses 1,737
In temporary houses 214
In compulsory purchase order houses 51
A total of 3,206
The Council are obviously the biggest property owners in the borough and it is estimated
that the number of persons housed by the Council is no less than 12,008—8-78 per cent. of
the population of the borough. The early months of 1948, have shown that between 150 and
190 applications for re-housing are received each month. The number re-housed is but a small
proportion of the number of applications, and therefore the number on the waiting list, no
less than 12,339 in March, 1948, is still increasing.
I am indebted to the Housing Department for the following information:—
Over 900 houses have been repaired and adapted to suit modern requirements.
Twelve flats which were demolished by enemy action have been rebuilt and occupied.
In five of the Council's housing schemes, totalling 649 flats, the buildings are actually in
course of erection, and in but a few months some will be available for occupation. Amenities
include lifts, hot water, smokeless fuel grates, choice of electric or gas power points, facilities
for laundry work, private balconies, gardens and play places.
Furthermore, twice this number have also been planned and sites acquired ready for the
time when consent can be obtained to start building.