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IV. HOUSING
The Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, which received
Royal Assent on 30th July, 1954, makes further provision for
the clearance and redevelopment of areas of unfit housing
accommodation and for securing or promoting the reconditioning
and maintenance of houses. Consequential amendments
were made by the new Act to the existing Housing Acts.
This Act requires the Council to submit to the Minister of
Housing and Local Government, within a year of its passing,
proposals for dealing with all unfit property in the Borough,
and with any other houses which are, or which ought to be,
included in clearance areas.
Clearance Areas.
During the year official representations were made by
the Borough Council in respect of two clearance areas, comprising
12 houses. In addition, three areas, declared by the
London County Council, involving 81 houses, were confirmed by
the Minister.
Approximately 422 properties were demolished under the
Housing Acts during the year, 400 by the London County
Council and 22 by the Borough Council.
Demolition Orders.
Under the provisions of Section 11 of the Housing Act,
1936, 7 Demolition Orders were made during the year.
If it is inexpedient to make a Demolition Order under
Section 11 of the Housing Act, 1936, having regard to the
effect of demolition of the house upon any other house or
building, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act, 1953? gives power to the Council to make a Closing Order
in lieu thereof. The Council may at any time revoke the
Closing Order and make a Demolition Order. 4 Closing Orders
were made under this provision during the year.
Overcrowding.
During the year, 163 cases of alleged overcrowding were
investigated, 85 of which were confirmed and referred to the
London County Council.
86 overcrowded families were rehoused, 69 by the London
County Council and 17 by the Borough Council, and the number
of known overcrowded families on the register decreased from
1172 to 1061.
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