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(b) Number of new cases of overcrowding reported during the
year Nil
(c) (i) Number of cases of overcrowding relieved during the
year 107
(hi Number of persons concerned in such cases 407
(d) Particulars of any cases in which dwelling-houses have again
become overcrowded after the local authority have
taken steps for the abatement of overcrowding Nil
(e) Any other particulars with respect to overcrowding
ditions upon which the Medical Officer of Health may
conader it desirable to report:—
Towards the end of the year there was a considerable number of vacaint
tenements as a result of the war. and overcrow ding was further reduced temporariy
by the evacuation of school children
CLEARANCE AND IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES.
In view of the outbreak of hostilities and the necessity of conserving all available
housing accommodation, the Minister of Health decided that the holding of inquiries
into slum clearance orders should be deferred and that no further steps should be
taken for the time being in connection with orders already confirmed by the Minister.
Action in respect of individual demolition orders and re-development schemes was
also postponed, and building operations to provide relief for overcrowded areas
suffered considerable curtailment as a result of the war. It may, however, be
noted that during the year the St. Marylebone Housing Association made a farther
contribution to modern bousing accommodation in the Borough for persons of
limited means by the erection of fourteen flats in Allitsen Road, St. John's Wood
at a cost of £14,430.
HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS.
Included under this head are all ordinary tenement houses in which the rooms
or floors are let out separately. A considerable proportion of the houses in the
Borough are so let. and under revised bye-laws made by the London County Council
under Section 6 of the Housing Act, 1936. which came into operation on the 1st
January, 1939, all houses which are occupied, or are of a type suitable for occupation,
by persons of the working classes and let in lodgings or occupied by members of
more than one family are subject to registration, and in than there mast be compliance
with certain requirements as to sanitation, cleansing, etc. During the
year some 3,291 visits were paid to the 1.605 houses of the tenement type. The
number of intimation notices served was 423, relating to cleansing and other defects.
Except in 49 cases, where statutory notices were issued, all of these notices were
complied with without the necessity for further proceedings arising.
In all tenement houses the provision of artificial lighting arrangements in staircases
is called for by the bye-laws. During 1939, 5 intimation notices and 5
statutory notices were served in regard to this matter, and all were complied with.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES.
During 1939. 47 visits were paid by officers of the department to the two
lodging bouses in the Borough: one, registered for 436 men. owned by the Salvation
Army and situated at No. 2, Burne Street and premises in Lisson Street; the
other, accommodating 100 women, conducted by the Church Army at Portman
House. Daventry Street and Harrow Street. In addition, the premises were
periodically inspected by a Fire Inspector specially appointed for the purpose.
Apart from minor matters calling for attention, no action was found to be necessary
in respect of either of the common lodging houses.
RENT RESTRICTION ACTS.
No applications under these Acts for certificates as to suitability for occupation
of houses were received during the year.