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16
SECTION D.
HOUSING
Number of new houses erected during the year.
The number of new houses built during the year was as follows:—
By Local Authority 332
By Private Enterprise 182
Re-built following destruction by enemy
action 15
It is interesting to compare this with the figures for 1934 when
in this district the Local Authority built 6 houses and other bodies
or persons built 1,304. The very different times in which we now live
renders any further comparison quite irrelevant.
Overcrowding.
The general housing position is not yet sufficiently stable to justify
an overcrowding survey.
Unfit Houses.
Some five old and dilapidated houses were demolished during the
year.
Medical Aspect Re-housing.
Some 549 medical certificates in support of re-housing claims were
submitted to me. It is clearly necessary that any medical condition
justifying re-housing priority must have bad housing (in the broad
sense) as a cause or aggravating factor.
A most prolific source of appeal is the apparent inability of many
related families to live together without producing a near nervous
breakdown on the part of someone. There can be no doubt as to the
fact that these cases actually exist in large numbers and the cause is
clearly to be seen. It does on the other hand seem to be inequitable to
upgrade many such applications at the expense of the equally numerous
uncomplaining applicants who are prepared to accept their normal
points assessment. The responsibility for maintaining a dangerous
degree of nervous strain especially in related families living together
cannot in my view rest solely with the Council simply because in spite
of all efforts a house is not available for every applicant. A plea for
the maximum tolerance on the part of the families themselves may
justly be made however difficult the circumstances may be.
St. George's Hospital.
During the year a visit was paid with the County Medical Officer
of Health to the premises here under t he control of the County Council.
I believe that this particular accommodation does represent an important
problem and that from a hygienic point of view it can only successfully
be tackled through the concerted efforts of both the County Council
and ourselves since our interests are so substantially mutual.
Land Charges Enquiries.
During the year 3,090 land chargcs enquiries were referred to the
department regarding the question of outstanding sanitary notices.