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20
Rehousing—Medical Certificates—Closing Orders.
The Medical Officer of Health receives requests from the Borough Council's Housing Director for
reports and advice on the housing conditions and the health of persons applying for rehousing. One
hundred and twenty-eight confidential medical certificates referred to the Medical Officer of Health
were considered in conjunction with reports from the public health inspectors on environmental
circumstances and, where justified, additional points were recommended.
Two Closing Orders were made in respect of four underground rooms. Closing Orders on eight
underground rooms were determined, and Orders on three rooms were varied.
Common Lodging Houses
There are two common lodging houses in the Borough. One accommodating 391 men is kept by
the Salvation Army, at No. 2, Burne Street and premises in Lisson Street. The other, conducted
by the Church Army, at Elgood House, No. 84, Bell Street, is registered for 85 women. Regular
inspections were made and particular attention given to fire precautions, the numbers of lodgers
accommodated, the possible presence of any verminous persons or articles, catering arrangements,
sanitary and washing facilities, and to general conformity with Bye-law requirements.
The Church Army lodging house is well-managed and has amenities which are above those usually
found or expected at such premises.
The building used by the Salvation Army as their Hostel for men was originally constructed for
use as a hall and meeting place more than one hundred years ago. Prior to April, 1933, the hostel
was licensed by the London County Council and accommodated some 514 lodgers. With the coming
into operation of the Transfer of Powers (London) Order, 1933, the functions of the London County
Council in this respect were transferred to the Borough Council. In reporting to the Public Health
Committee upon the first application for renewal of the licence, received by the Borough Council,
the Medical Officer of Health at that time, Dr. Charles Porter, stated: "I find it quite impossible
to prepare anything which, in the ordinary sense, can be regarded as a specification. From the point
of view of construction, these premises are so entirely unsuitable for use as a common lodging house
that if application was being made for the first time for a licence, I should feel it to be my duty to
recommend the Council to refuse." However, with the ready co-operation of the Salvation Army,
improvements were made and a licence was subsequently issued and allowed for a maximum of 436
lodgers. Over the years various alterations were made at these premises, until the early 1950's,
when some major structural alterations were accomplished and the permitted maximum number of
lodgers was further reduced to 391.
At present the average floor area and cubic capacity per person is 40 sq. ft. and 560 cu. ft. By
present-day standards the natural lighting and ventilation are not good and the standard of artificial
lighting is poor. Residents, of whom about 8% are old age pensioners, are barred from all rooms
from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. The combined common and dining-room seats
about 180 people and the cafeteria service provides meals and snacks, principal use being made of
the breakfast meal. There are 14 water-closets and 13 urinals, equivalent to one water-closet for
every 28 occupants. The 16 wash-basins have proved sufficient for the use made of them, and there
are 12 deep sinks available for personal laundry. These unsuitable premises have been maintained
on a very slender budget by a dedicated organisation which, despite rising costs and an increasingly
difficult fight against dilapidations, has kept its charges for accommodation to an absolute minimum.
It is not with regret that it has been learned that redevelopment schemes in this area indicate that
this building will probably be demolished within the next year.