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The assistance afforded in the past by the New and Expanded Towns has continued
and many families have been nominated by the Council for rehousing in those areas
Some indirect benefit is also derived by reason of the fact that 'key' workers in
industries established in the New Towns are provided with accommodation by development
corporations and as many of these persons may have been occupying adequate houses
and flats their removal has released a certain amount of private accommodation in
the Hendon area.
The modernisation scheme affecting 50 Council houses in the Childs Hill area so
as to provide for a separate hot-water system, a bathroom and other improvements has
materially progressed and at the end of the year the scheme was almost completed.
The welfare of single elderly persons received considerable help when, towards
the close of 1956 bed/sitting-room accommodation with communal cooking and other
facilities was provided for a further 30 persons by the conversion of additional
properties purchased by the Council These converted properties now house a total of
51 single persons. In addition all new estates have a proportion of conveniently
designed homes for accommodating elderly couples.
In accordance with the provisions of the Requisitioned Houses and Housing
(Amendment) Act 1955, the release of requisitioned properties has continued and the
Council have also negotiated the purchase of several such properties in order to
increase the amount of permanent dwellings at its disposal.
The policy of transferring Council tenants living in accommodation in excess of
their requirements to smaller dwellings, has enabled the larger type of houses and
flats to be re-let to bigger families and has relieved many cases of overcrowding
Every opportunity has been taken to co-operate with other local authorities and
private property owners to secure exchanges of tenancies which have proved mutually
beneficial.
The following table sets out the number of housing applicants assisted during
the year ending 31st December, 1956
1. Number of families rehoused in permanent accommodation
(a) Pre-war houses, etc. 15
(b) Post-war houses 86
(c) Temporary Bungalows 1
102
2° Transfers arranged to deal with overcrowding, under-
occupation etc. on Council Estates 210
3. Families given emergency accommodation in Half Way Houses 8
46