View report page

164
X.—HOUSING.
The year 1936 was marked by the passing of a consolidating measure of considerable
importance, viz., the Housing Act, 1936. The provisions of the Housing Acts,
1925 to 1935, and those of certain other enactments relating to housing are consolidated
in this new Act. However, as the 1936 Act did not become operative until the
1st January, 1937, activities in connection with housing continued during the year
under review to be governed by the previous Acts.
OVERCROWDING.
The special conditions which are found in Shoreditch have so far made it
impossible to fix the date of the "appointed day." Overcrowding is therefore not
yet an offence in this Borough, but the question has been vigorously dealt with
throughout the year, and although a great deal remains to be done some progress
has been made.
The overcrowding survey which was carried out last year brought to light the
fact that 72 families living in properties owned by the Borough Council were overcrowded.
During 1936 this question was dealt with as follows:—
Families overcrowded at time of survey, 1935 72
Overcrowding abated by members of family leaving home (chiefly marriage)
and in one case death 11
Overcrowding abated by removal (in eight cases to larger flats owned by the
Borough Council) 16
Overcrowding abated in houses owned by Borough Council by sub-tenants
taking additional rooms 8
Still overcrowded at the end of the year 37
Action taken in respect of Overcrowding.
During the year 1936, 235 cases of overcrowding were abated as a result of
enquiry and action by the sanitary staff, and in some cases as a result of reports to
the Housing Committee. The London County Council accommodated 64 of these
families and in the other 171 instances the accommodation was obtained from other
sources. In addition to these cases 328 families were re-housed by the London
County Council in connection with their slum clearance programme, 17 cases were