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HOUSING
Housing Consolidation Regulations, 1925, No. 866, Part IV. Inspection of District:-
1. Number of houses which on inspection were considered to be unfit for human habitation
None.
2. Number of houses in which the defects were remedied in consequence of informal action
by the Local Authority or their Officers:—
5
3. Number of representations made to the Local Authority with a view to (a) the serving of
notices requiring the execution of works or (b) the making of demolition or closing
orders
(a) none.
(b) none.
4. Number of notices served during the execution of works:—
None.
5. Number of houses which were rendered fit after service of formal notices:—
None.
6. Number of demolition or closing orders made
None.
7. Number of houses in respect of which an undertaking was accepted under subsection (2)
of section 19 of the Housing Act, 1930:—
None.
8. Number of houses demolished
None.
During the year, 102 families were rehoused leaving a total number of 750 families for whom
accommodation was required in December 1956. It is likely that this number will be reduced
substantially when the Golden Lane Extension is completed as this estate will provide accommodation
for 584 families. In addition to this a small estate of 57 flats and houses at Sydenham
Hill will soon be completed.
The modernisation of the flats at Dron House, Stepney is in progress and it is anticipated
that improvement schemes will be carried out at the remainder of the pre-war housing estates
administered by the Corporation as a Local Authority.
Isleden House continues to stimulate interest amongst those who are concerned with the
housing and welfare of the elderly. Many of the elderly residents would be unable to maintain a
flat if they had to prepare their own meals and if they were required to do all the work of a normal
householder and it is evident that the provision of a mid-day meal and of the other services
assist the old people to remain in their homes and retain their independence. The Sick Bay
under the supervision of an understanding Matron and her sympathetic Assistant has continued to
work smoothly. Over three hundred patients from St. Bartholomew's Hospital have been admitted
since 1954 and this has made a very useful contribution to reduce the waiting list for beds at the
hospital. Patients from the Corporation's housing estates have also been admitted for short
periods and the results have been most satisfactory. The following example of this may be of
interest:—
An elderly couple were in great distress when the husband aged 85 was suddenly seized with
acute arthritis and became immobile. Until the attack the man had been in regular employment
and in fact had carried out most of the household chores as his wife aged 86 was "not too good on
her feet". The man was admitted to hospital but was discharged after a short period with his
physical condition unchanged and his morale low as he had been informed that his condition
could not improve. The couple were popular on the estate and the neighbours were most helpful
but the major portion of the work fell on the wife who did her best. A special chair was made for
the patient as it was impossible for him to rest in bed. After six months the wife had to be sent
away for a holiday and the man was admitted to Isleden House Sick Bay. He was carried to his
bed and told matron he couldn't move. Matron, however, took the matter in hand and within a few
days the patient was walking and when the wife called to see him after her 2 weeks rest he went
out unaided to the front door to greet her. They returned to their flat together happily and the
following week he astonished everyone when he started work on his garden plot of which he was
was most proud and for which he has since won a prize.
Improvements are being carried out at the City of London Freemens' Houses and the provision
of further amenities and communal services are being considered.
The City of London Old People's Welfare Association continues to look after the 1,350
over—60's for whom the City as a Housing Authority has a responsibility. No effort is spared to
ensure that these old people have the services they require. A Mid-day Meals Service has been
established at the Three Score Club and it is hoped that a similar service will be provided
within Corporation estates where accommodation has been allocated to elderly people.
13.