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23
GENERAL PUBLIC HEALTH
Housing
dtiring the year 15,591 houses and flats were erected by the Council and the
Metropolitan Borough Councils. Of these 11,093 were in London (5,868 by the Council
and 5,225 by the Borough Councils) and the remainder (4,498) were erected by the
Council outside the London area.
The total number of houses and flats erected or acquired by the Council for housing
purposes at 31st December, 1953, was 156,924 (an increase in the year of 10,277) of
which 74,910 were situated in London and 82,014 outside the county. In addition
7,863 temporary prefabricated bungalows erected by the Ministry of Works are
managed by the Council.
The number of applications registered on the Council's housing waiting list on
31st December, 1953, was 170,225 compared with 180,366 in 1952. Approximately
29,000 new applications were registered during the year. The housing waiting list is
divided into three categories in accordance with urgency on the basis of the total number
of points awarded under the Council's points scheme as follows :
Category A—Urgent cases.
Category B—Cases with some housing need, but not of an urgent character.
Category C—No basic housing need.
Preferential
rehousing
During the year 33,312 requests for preference in re-housing on health grounds were
considered, and suitable recommendations made to the Director of Housing and Valuer.
This figure included a number of applications which had been considered in previous
years but were reviewed in the light of changed medical or domestic conditions. The
number of new applications considered was some 4,000 less than in 1952. The continuing
large number of applications on health grounds is no doubt largely attributable
to the natural anxiety of applicants to put forward any claims which might possibly
lead to prospects of early rehousing. Inevitably many have to be disappointed, but all
applications are carefully considered and many enquiries made to enable fair decisions
to be reached. Once again, the great assistance given by medical officers of health of
Metropolitan Boroughs and out-county authorities, of hospitals and of family doctors
in providing reports is gratefully acknowledged. Of the applications considered on
general health grounds, 4 per cent. (1,259) were recommended for special preference
because rehousing was urgently necessary to reduce the danger of infection arising from
inadequate accommodation for persons suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis,
13 per cent. were classified as ' most urgent,' and 39 per cent. as less urgent but justifying
preference on health grounds. After careful consideration, it was decided that the
degree of medical urgency disclosed by doctors' certificates did not warrant additional
preference for the remaining 44 per cent.
Slum
clearancc
Reference was made in the annual report for 1951 to the submission to the Housing
Committee of a detailed draft programme of slum clearance to be undertaken during the
years 1951-55 by both the Council and the Metropolitan Borough Councils. The task
of implementing this programme, which provided for the demolition of 10,131 houses,
was continued during the year, and 44 areas containing 1,641 houses were represented
to the Housing Committee. In addition, preliminary surveys were completed in respect
of a further nine areas containing 572 houses.
Five public local inquiries were held by the Minister of Health and confirmation of
one of the Council's Orders was received. The result of the remaining four inquiries
was awaited at the end of the year.
Notifications under section 33 of the Housing Act, 1936, of intention to deal with
364 unfit houses contained in 14 areas were received from nine Metropolitan Borough
Councils.