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97
Secondly.—In spite of the efforts that have been made, the number of new
dwellings that have been built since the war is far too few having regard to the
deplorable housing conditions that are known to exist. It will be noted that in 1919
six areas, containing a population of 7,540, were represented, and that of these a
scheme has only been approved in respect of part of one (containing a population of
2,621), and that this scheme is not yet completed.
It is especially important that new schemes should be carried out quickly in an
area in which, as has been explained, a large proportion of the houses arc old, and
many are literally falling into ruins. Further, when considered in terms of the lives
of children, a few years is a long time. In ten years a very large number of children
reach and leave behind them those impressionable years during which, of all the
years in their lives, the greatest ill effects to mind and body are likely to result from
living under the conditions implied by saying that their homes are situated in unhealthy
areas.
Thirdly.—Reference should be made to the proposal of the Shoreditch Borough
Council that free or assisted travel facilities be granted between home and workplace.
If this were done, many workers with young children would be able to enjoy a home
life in the less densely populated outlying districts.
Lastly.—There is the problem of rebuilding within the Borough.
The greatest difficulty in the path of housing schemes is to find alternative
accommodation for those who occupy the houses to be demolished. The worse the
overcrowding, the greater this difficulty, and hence a deadlock is reached during
which the evils attendant upon long delays bear fruit.
The urgency of the situation is such that housing authorities should have power
to provide temporary housing accommodation, as was done for soldiers during the
war, either within or outside London, and if necessary to pay the travelling expenses
of workers until the new homes are ready for occupation.
New dwellings in Shoreditch tend of necessity to take the form of blocks of
tenement dwellings. During the last few years it has been most gratifying to see
the improvement in happiness, health and standard of living enjoyed by many
families who have moved into the flats in the Ware Street area.
The following is a list of tenement dwellings built in the Borough since the
war:—
By the Borough Council—
St. Leonard's Dwellings, New North Road 40 flats.
Teale Street Dwellings 75 „
By the London County Council—
Ware Street Area Flats 319 „
Whiston Street Dwellings 12 „
By the Corporation of the City of London—
A block of 104 flats upon site adjoining Wenlock Road. These flats were
built to accommodate persons displaced in connection with housing
schemes in the City.