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IV. HOUSING
Over crowding.
During the year 328 cases of alleged overcrowding were
investigated, 181 of which were confirmed and referred to the
London County Council.
104 overcrowded families were rehoused, 90 by the London
County Council and 14 by the Borough Council, and the number
of known overcrowded families on the register increased from
1,107 to 1,184.
144 visits were made to premises to ascertain "permitted
numbers", and the owners of the premises were informed.
In order to prevent overcrowding 42 inspections were made,
for the Government of Cyprus, of accommodation alleged to be
available in the Borough for intending immigrants.
Underground Rooms.
There are approximately 3,760 underground rooms in the
Borough used for living or sleeping purposes, about 3,640 of
which are unfit. During the year 340 inspections were carried
out, as a result of which 16 Closing Orders were made, 40
rooms being closed and the modified occupation of 19 rooms
approved. The number of Underground Rooms closed since 1936
totals, to date, 200. Progress on closure generally is held
up for lack of suitable alternative accommodation.
Building Licences and Essentiality Certificates.
Of the 314 applications received, 309 were recommended,
Involving 493 visits by the inspectors.
Defence Regulation 68 C.A. (use of living accommodation for
business purposes).
Thirty-one investigations of premises regarding "Change of
User" were made for possible contravention of this Regulation,
involving 86 visits by the inspectors. The Regulation lapsed
on 8th December.
Preferential Housing on Health Grounds.
Of the 115 cases investigated, 55 were recommended for rehousing:
8 to the County Council and 47 to the Borough Council.
Applications for Rehousing.
At the end of the year, there were 4,964 applications for
rehousing on the Housing Manager's register (an increase of
414 over 1951), including 254 tenants of Council dwellings
and 512 licensees of requisitioned premises.
Temporary Hutments.
288 Hutments owned by the Borough Council remained at the
end of the year. 34 were recommended for demolition because
of structural deterioration.
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