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IV. housing
Overcrowding.
During the year, 238 cases of alleged overcrowding were
investigated, 112 of which were confirmed and referred to the
London County Council.
124 overcrowded families were rehoused, 102 by the
London County Council and 22 by the Borough Council, and the
number of known overcrowded families on the register
decreased from 1184 to 1172.
209 visits were made to premises to ascertain "permitted
numbers", and the owners of the premises were informed.
In order to prevent overcrowding, 37 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 3,639 underground rooms in the
Borough used for living or sleeping purposes, about 3,519 of
which are unfit. During the year 260 inspections were
carried out. as a result of which 13 Closing Orders were, made,
36 rooms being closed and the modified occupation of 15 rooms
approved. The number of underground rooms closed since 1936
totals to date 236, Progress on closure generally is held up
for lack of suitable alternative accommodation.
Town & Country Planning (Housing Accommodation) Direction,
1952.
Under this order, the Borough Council is consulted by
the London County Council (the Planning Authority) before
applications are determined for planning permission for
development involving change of user of premises from use as
a dwelling. Investigations on 47 such applications were
carried out during the year.
Applications for Rehousing.
At the. end of the year there were 5,672 applications
for rehousing on the Housing Manager's register (an increase
of 708 over 1952), including 292 tenants of Council dwellings
and 514 licensees of requisitioned premises who applied for
transfers.
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