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17
(9) Housing.
The majority of the houses in the District are cottages
containing 4 or 6 rooms, some built in terraces,
some in flats or two stories, while others are detached or
semi-detached. A very great number of these have
been built in recent years in accordance with the bye-laws
of the Council, and these have ample airspace both at
back and front. Some of the older houses, however, are
somewhat cramped at the backs.
In 1900 the works in the District were very busy, and
practically every house in the District was occupied,
while building proceeded rapidly to supply the demand
for houses by the workmen who came to the District.
Towards 190G, however, slackness of work, and labour
troubles caused the emigration of a large number of workmen,
and at one time about 750 of these cottages were
empty.
At the time of the Census in 1911, there were 447 uninhabited
houses, the large majority of them being cottages.
Since then, howevr, there has been a revival of
trade in the District, and at the middle of 1915 there were
no houses empty.
Towards the end of the year, after the war had been
in progress some months, there was a large influx of
workmen, both English and Belgian, to satisfy the requirements
of the ammunition factories and gun works
of Messrs. Vickers. So that considerable difficulty was
experienced in finding housing accommodation for so
many. And although several large empty private houses
were taken and let out in flats and apartments, there was
much congestion, and some overcrowding. Still, this
did no fully supply the demand, and many had to find residence
in outlying districts, at some distance away, causing
much inconvenience, but as this influx was recognised
as only temporary, it was not considered advisable for the
Council to undertake the great expense of building cottages
to supply the deficiency. However, at the present
time Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., are erecting a large number
just outside the boundary, and in close proximity to the
Erith Electric Trams, which ought in great measure to
satisfy the demand.
During the year 9G4 houses were inspected; 352 were
found to have some defect in the water supply, 316 in
closet accommodation, 250 in drainage, 149 in