London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Enfield 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Enfield]

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28
During the course of 1938 I represented 19 houses as unfit for
human habitation. Demolition Orders were made in respect of
all these houses.
Since the passing of the Housing Act, 1930, 160 houses have
been demolished either by official action under the appropriate
sections of the Housing Acts, or by arrangements with owners.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The Council now possesses 1,746 houses.
Land has been acquired for the erection of further houses, but
so far has not been utilised for this purpose.
HOUSING ACT, 1936—PART IV.—OVERCROWDING.
During the course of the year routine inspection has been
made of the houses in Enfield to ascertain what overcrowding there
might be, in accordance with the standard set by the Housing Act,
1936, and to remedy such overcrowding as might be discovered.
This was rendered difficult, as in most cases the overcrowding
could only be overcome by transfer to houses containing 4 and 5
bedrooms. It is not likely, therefore, that the present state of
overcrowding will be abolished until such time as larger Council
houses are erected.
At the end of 1938 the position was as follows:—
(a) (i) Number of dwellings overcrowded at the
end of the year 97
(ii) Number of families dwelling therein 97
(iii) Number of persons dwelling therein 730½
(b) (i) Number of new cases of overcrowding
ported during the year 10
(ii) Number of persons concerned in such cases 11½
(c) (i) Number of cases of overcrowding relieved
during the year 52
(ii) Number of persons concerned in such cases 339½
(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 3
(These cases were all abated within a short time
by the Owners giving tenants notice to quit,
without legal action having to be taken.)
(e) Any other particulars with respect to overcrowding
conditions upon which the Medical Officer of
Health may consider it desirable to report.