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(b) Action taken as regards Unfit Houses under the Housing Acts—Vide Appendices
Section of Housing.
(3) Difficulties in Remedying Unfitness.—The work in connection with the remedying
of insanitary conditions in relation to housing has been seriously handicapped during the year owing
to the difficulties experienced in obtaining the necessary building materials, such as bricks, lime, sand,
cement, lead, iron, white lead and drain pipes.
(4) Conditions, so far as they affect Housing, as regards Water Supply, Closet
Accommodation, and Refuse Disposal, together with Measures taken during the Year in
these Matters—Remarks under these headings respectively are reported under the Section dealing
with Sanitary Circumstances of the District.
(IV.) Unhealthy Areas:—
(1) Action taken as regards areas represented before the beginning of the year under Part I or Part IT
of the Housing Act of 1890.
(2) Particulars of and action taken as regards areas represented during the year.
(3) Information as to complaints made during the year that areas were unhealthy, and action taken.
No action was taken by the Council during the year under Parts I and II of the Housing Act
of 1890 relating to unhealthy areas.
(V.) By-Laws Relating to Houses, to Houses Let in Lodgings, and to Tents, Vans, Sheds, etc.
(1) As to working of existing by-laws, and
(2) As to need for new by-laws or revision of existing by-laws.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—The existing bye-laws with regard to these houses were approved
by the Local Government Board in 1892. Since that date Willesden has nearly trebled its population,
and the character of its houses has altered.
Section 2 of the bye-laws in question exempts houses where the rateable value exceeds £25 per
annum, and the rent of a tenement is above 5s. per week. This proviso has the effect
of rendering the bye-laws inoperative with respect to houses such as those in Cambridge
Road, Kilburn Park Road, and many other roads of a similar character in South Kilburn,
where it is most necessary to put the bye-laws in operation. In Kensal Rise, again,
and other parts of the district, small houses occupied by two families in fairly good circumstances,
but rated at less than £25 per annum,come within the scope of the bye-laws.
Section 26 of the Housing, Town-Planning, &c., Act, 1919, empowers local authorities to make
and enforce bye-laws with respect to houses intended or used for occupation by the working
classes and let in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family. Draft
bye-laws under this section are under consideration.
Moveable Dwellings—Caravans, Tents, etc.—In only two instances during the year were
moveable dwellings brought under notice. Investigation failed to establish nuisances arising therefrom,
and no further action was taken.
(VI.) General and Miscellaneous:—
Generally, an account of any action bearing on the public health, not covered by the above particulars,
which has been taken during the year by the local authority in connection with overcrowding,
insanitary property, and housing, whether under the Housing Acts or the Public Health Acts.
No particular action has been taken other than already recorded.
(VII.) Appendices, Statistics for the 12 Months Ended 31st December, 1919.
(1) Number of houses in respect of which complaints were made that they are unfit for human
habitation by householders, 0.
(2) Action under Section 17 of the Housing Act of 1909.
(a) Number of houses inspected under and for the purpose of the Section, 2 ;
(b) Number of dwelling houses which were considered to be unfit for human
tion, 2; and
(c) Number of dwelling houses, the defects in which were remedied without the
making of closing orders, 0.