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53
(а) Where a house consists of :—
(i) One room 2 persons
(Who must be of same sex unless under 10 years of age,
or husband or wife).
(ii) Two rooms 3 persons.
(iii) Three rooms 5 persons.
(iv) Four rooms 7½ persons.
(v) Five rooms or over 10 persons
With an additional two persons in respect of each room in excess of five; or
(b) The aggregate number obtained by reckoning for each room a number of persons as
follows:—
(i) 110 sq. ft. or more 2 persons,
(ii) 90 sq. ft. but less than llU sq. ft. 1½ persons.
(iii) 70 90 „ 1 person.
(iv) 50 „ „ 70 „ ½ person.
(v) Less than 50 sq. ft. Nil.
In making these reckonings no account is to be taken of a child under one year of age,
while children between the ages of one and ten are reckoned as half units.
Overcrowding thus ascertained is not liable to be dealt with under the provisions of
the Act until the "appointed day" is fixed by the Minister, and in fixing this day regard
will be had to the special circumstances of each area.
At the time of writing the appointed day has not been fixed for St. Pancras.
HOUSING CONDITIONS.
As stated in last year's report, the major problem presented by present-day housing
conditions in the Borough is the overhaul and reconditioning in the light of modern standards
of the many houses that are unsuitable for demolition but do not conform, largely as a result
of neglect and hard wear, and partly as a result of the manner in which they are now let,
to what is regarded as "fitness for occupation."
Slum conditions readily establish themselves in houses of this type and every effort
should be made to prevent an increase of such conditions in St. Pancras as a result of gravitation
from other parts of London as extensive demolition of slum property takes place.
The Local Authority possesses powers not only to prevent slumming but to improve
existing housing conditions. These powers are given under the following :—
(а) The overcrowding provisions of the Housing Act, 1935.
(b) The Bye-laws relating to Houses let in Lodgings, especially in regard to decontrolled
houses.
(c) Powers in relation to closure of underground rooms and parts of houses that are unfit
for human habitation.
(d) Reconditioning of houses not fit for human habitation when this can be done at
reasonable cost (Section 17, Housing Act, 1930).
(e) Demolition of such houses when reconditioning cannot be done at reasonable cost
(Section 19, Housing Act, 1930).