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Fisherton Street Housing Estate.—The Council decided to replace gradually all the tire-places, which
are now obsolete in design, and as a first instalment 30 new fire-places were fitted during the year.
Requisitioned Premises and Factory-made Bungalows.—Re-decoration and maintenance works to
requisitioned premises were carried out during the year at an expenditure of £22,589, and similar
works to factory-made bungalows cost £980. The total number of residential units held by the Council
in requisitioned premises at 31st December, 1950, was 1,038.
"Half-way" Houses.—Two "half-way" houses, at Beaumont Street and Nottingham Place, were
completed during the year. Their purpose is to assist families in sudden and urgent need of accommodation
pending the allocation of more permanent homes.
St. Marylebone Housing Trust.—The Council agreed to co-operate with, and financially assist, the
St. Marylebone Housing Trust in the erection of 24 flats on a site adjacent to the existing Cochrane
Street Estate.
Inspection of Dwelling Houses.—The total number of houses and flats (separately assessed residential
units) in the Borough at the end of 1950 was 22,579. Details of inspections made and resultant action
are given in the following statement:—
Number of houses inspected for defects under the Public Health or Housing Acts 2,938
Number of inspections made 11,102
Number of houses found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human
habitation 921
Number of defective houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action 557
Number of houses in which defects were remedied by owners after service of
formal notices under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936 306
Underground Rooms.—Closing orders under section 12 of the Housing Act, 1936, were made in
respect of 16 rooms, and variations in the user of six rooms already subject to closing orders were
approved by the Public Health Committee. Four undertakings from owners not to use or permit
to be used ten underground rooms for human habitation were accepted by the Committee during
the year.
Re-housing.—During the year 595 enquiries were received from the Borough Council's Housing
Director, the London County Council and other local authorities, regarding the circumstances of
persons applying for re-housing. Each case necessitated investigation by a sanitary inspector before
the enquirer could be provided with a report to assist him in assessing the degree of priority to be
given to the various applicants.
In November, 1950, a form of certificate was adopted for use by medical practitioners desiring
to support applications by their patients for re-housing on health grounds. As these certificates
are considered by the Medical Officer of Health personally, the medical practitioner is invited to give
fuller and more precise information than he would ordinarily provide. This detailed medical evidence,
along with environmental reports by the sanitary inspectors, places the Medical Officer of Health
in a better position to express an opinion on the number of "points" to be awarded in these cases.
Medical practitioners generally have been quick to take advantage of the new arrangement, and
their co-operation has been most helpful in this further endeavour to improve methods of assessment
as to need for re-housing. During the remainder of the year 37 certificates from local doctors were
reported upon.
Slum Clearance.—A further survey of the Borough was undertaken by the Department to ascertain
the housing development needs and potentialities for the next 10- and 20-year periods and to form
the basis of a new slum clearance programme for consideration and discussion with the London
County Council. Thirty areas, involving a total of 961 houses and 2,710 families, were inspected
and graded for representation in order of priority. The Ministry of Local Government and Planning
had not indicated by the end of the year the extent to which they were prepared to authorise clearance
operations or the degree of priority to be afforded to the Council's claims.
Common Lodging Houses.—There are two lodging houses in the Borough: one, accommodating
436 men, owned by the Salvation Army and situated at No. 2, Burne Street and premises in Lisson
Street; the other, registered for 100 women, conducted by the Church Army at Portman House,
No. 10, Daventry Street.
The extensive alterations at the men's lodging house were completed during the year and effected
a marked improvement in the condition and amenities of the building. Dilapidated and out-of-date
sanitary accommodation has been abolished and replaced by water-closet, urinal and washing facilities
which are now readily accessible from each dormitory. The preparation and serving of food, previously