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certain empty houses in the possession of the London County Council available
as decants, thus enabling certain selected houses to be dealt with under
the Housing Act.
It is estimated that there are some 2,000 underground rooms in occupation
in the Borough which are not according to the standard laid down in the
Housing Act, fit for human habitation, but which it has not been possible to
close owing to the general shortage of housing accommodation.
Unhealthy Areas.
After the election in November, the new Housing Committee asked for a
report upon the general housing situation in the Borough, with special
reference to the position with regard to unhealthy areas. The following
notes are quoted from this report the date of which was 29th December, 1931 :
(1) Ware Street Area (Represented in 1919).—Work was begun upon
this by the London County Council in the summer of 1924. At the present
time the number of blocks of dwellings that have been completed is 12, comprising
361 tenements and 1,011 rooms. The number of blocks of dwellings
remaining to be built is 6. This area is considerably larger than the others,
the average estimated population for the five years ending 1918 having been
5,000. The area is 14.2 acres.
(2) Britannia Gardens Area (Represented in 1919).—
Britannia Gardens: Badly dilapidated—depth of front gardens 36 ft.;
allow room for building.
Canton Terrace: Hardly in condition to warrant condemnation.
Pimlico Walk: Some rebuilding since representation.
Kingsnorth Place: Have been improved.
Pounds Buildings: Have been improved.
(3) Drysdale Place Area (Represented in 1919).—With slight modifications
this area was again represented in 1929. The houses are old and
dilapidated and the streets narrow. The area should be dealt with as soon as
possible.
(4) Lynedoch Street Area (Represented in 1919).—
Lynedoch Street: These houses have improved during the last ten years.
Ely Place : North side; Two rooms—no back entrance—one small back
window upstairs. One water hydrant to every six houses. W.C. in front
garden. Should be pulled down. South side. Two rooms—very small yard
containing W.C. Separate water supply. Should be pulled down.
(5) Wilks Place Area (Represented in 1919).—
Barton Court: Should come down.
Wilks Place: Four small rooms. Fronts in good condition, backs old
and worn. Should come down.
Wilks Court: Nine two room houses. Back to back with Hostel in
Hoxton Street. Should come down.