London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Stepney 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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81
Overcrowding.
The overcrowding survey which was commenced on 4th November
was carried through successfully. The number of structurally separate
dwellings surveyed was 35,199, the number of separate families being 49,317.
(See appendix for tables of results.)
Of this total number of families, 7,632 were found to be overcrowded or
15.42% of the whole. The next stage was to ascertain the number of new
dwellings required to abate overcrowding on a basis of 1½ persons per room and
also to estimate what proportion of the accommodation required will be
provided by rehousing operations under the Housing Act 1930 (Slum Clearance
Areas, &c.).
Overcrowding
Survey.
As regards the latter requirement, as a result of consultations with the
Medical Officer of Health of the London County Council a list of such areas
was agreed, an examination of which shows that there are 2,268 overcrowded
families to be included in this category. The following table shows at a
glance:—
(1) The total number of additional dwellings required on a basis of 1½
persons per room.
(2) The number of such additional dwellings to be provided under the
Housing Act, 1930.
(3) The balance of dwellings to be provided under the Housing Act 1935.
Additional dwellings required on the standard of l ½ persons a room under the above headings.
| 3 rooms | 4 rooms | 5 rooms | 6 rooms | 7 rooms | 8 rooms | 9 rooms | 10 rooms | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | 1,293 | 707 | 791 | 176 | 139 | 31 | 11 | 2 | 3,150 |
| (2) | 388 | 212 | 237 | 53 | 42 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 945 |
| (3) | 905 | 495 | 554 | 123 | 97 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 2,205 |
Following upon the foregoing is the submission of proposals as to the
provision of the new houses. As to this matter, the 1935 Act provides that the
County Council shall be the authority, provided that if the Borough Council
themselves propose to provide houses to abate overcrowding, they must submit
their report thereon to the County Council.