View report page

IV. HOUSING
Overcrowding.
During the year 835 cases of alleged overcrowding were
investigated , 351 of which were confirmed and referred to
the London County Council.
555 overcrowded families were rehoused, 306. by the
L.C.C. and 249 by the Borough Council.
The number of overcrowded families on the register was
reduced from 1,252 to 1,048.
214 visits,were made to premises to ascertain Permitted
Numbers, of which the owners of the premises were Informed.
In order to prevent overcrowding, four inspections were
made for the Government of Cyprus of accommodation alleged
to be available in the Borough for intending immigrants.
It is interesting to note that in 1938 the number of
persons per dwelling averaged 5.4 as compared with 3.5 in
1950.
Underground Rooms.
There are 5,166 underground rooms in the Borough which
are used for living or sleeping purposes. .212 inspections
were made during the year, as a result of which 28 rooms
were closed and the modified occupation of five approved.
The total number of underground rooms closed since 1936
amounts, to date, to 93.
Building Licences and Essentiality Certificates.
Of the 647 applications received, 633 were recommended,
involving 804 visits by the Inspectors.
Defence Regulation 68 C.A. (Use of Living Accommodation for
Business purposes).
68 investigations of premises were made for possible
contravention of this regulation regarding Change of User,
which involved 89 visits by the inspectors.
Preferential Housing on Health Grounds.
Of the 160 cases investigated, 56 were recommended for
rehousing; 17 to the L.C.C. and 39 to the Borough Council.
-28-