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HOUSING
I am indebted to the Borough Housing Officer for the following observations
on the Council's building and development progress during the year and on the
housing situation generally -
"The main feature of the Housing Programme for 1962 was the letting of
Granville Point and Harpenmead Point. These 15-storey point blocks each containing
60 flats are the tallest blocks erected to date by the Council and complete
Phase I of the Granville Road Redevelopment Scheme. Work on the following Phases
has commenced, which will in course of time diminish the industrial character of
this area, and the present medley of obsolete buildings will gradually be replaced
by modern flats and maisonettes.
At the end of 1962 the total number of post-war dwellings erected by the
Council was 3,118.
The purchase of dwellings in advance of actual redevelopment continues to
bring under Council control many dwellings which can be used for habitation, and
these are being used for the relief of overcrowding and other instances of housing
hardship. The pool of family dwellings is also added to from time to time by the
purchase by the Council of owner-occupied houses where the residents, who are
elderly, seek smaller property suitable for their advancing age. In these cases
the Council is able to offer a choice of elderly persons bungalows and flats in a
convenient locality.
The Council has given support to plans submitted by private housing associations
for the new building or conversion of property for occupation by elderly
people. Demand from the more elderly members of the community for small selfcontained
units of accommodation continues, as it is apparent that the majority
of such persons are anxious to remain independent of outside care for as late in
life as possible.
The problem of the rehousing of families under orders of eviction has continued
to receive attention. In most cases action has been taken to avoid hardship
ana in very few instances has a family first had to be admitted to a County Council
reception centre or to face separation.
An average of one family a week transferred to the New and Expanded Towns
during the year, and support was given to nearly 100 housing applicants seeking
employment and rehousing away from the Greater London area.
The Housing Waiting List at 31st December, 1962, numbered 1,875 families with
a further 238 applicants recorded from elderly persons requiring bed/sitting-room
accommodation. Ordinary applications for housing during the year numbered 421 and
from single people 75.
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