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At the end of the year the number of applicants on the waiting list was 6,861
which includes new applicants of less than twelve months' standing.
Twenty-eight applicants were awarded priority for rehousing on the grounds of
ill-health or disablement.
I am grateful to the Housing Manager for supplying the above information.
The Housing Act, 1969 (with the exception of Sections 80 to 82) came into
operation on the 25th August and makes, inter alia, further provision for grants by
local authorities to improve houses and the environment; it confers powers to
improve living conditions by improving the amenities of areas or dwellings therein;
amends the law with regard to rents payable for certain dwellings in good repair
and provided with the standard amenities, or improved with the assistance of local
authorities; makes further provision for houses in multiple occupation.
Ministry of Housing and Local Government Circulars 63 to 68/69 were published
shortly after the Act and give detailed guidance about the use of powers
relating to improvement, repairs, control of multiple occupation and good maintenance
payments available in connection with slum clearance. Ministry of Housing
and Local Government Circular 92/69 issued in November deals with Slum Clearance
and requests local authorities to step up their attack on unfit housing and also to
return a clearance programme for the next four years.
Overcrowding
The statutory standard for overcrowding, based on the number of persons related
to the size and number of living rooms, is laid down in the Housing Act, 1957. It was
found necessary to serve notices for the abatement of statutory overcrowding in one
instance.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
The local authority is empowered by the Housing Acts, 1957, 1961 and 1969, to
serve a notice on a person having control of a house in multiple occupation where, in
its opinion, the house is defective in respect of any of the following matters: natural
and artificial lighting, ventilation, water supply, personal washing facilities, drainage
and sanitary conveniences, facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food,
and for the disposal of waste water. The provision of a proper means of escape from
fire may be required.
The 1961 Act empowers a local authority to make a direction order on a house
in multiple occupation, limiting the number of persons who may occupy it, or part
of it. The notice may be varied or withdrawn if the number of occupants is reduced
to a point where the existing facilities are adequate for the number of persons
occupying the house.
The Council have adopted standards of overcrowding and amenities in such
houses in the borough.
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