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IV. HOUSING
Clearance Areas.
During the year 13 areas, involving 423 houses, were declared by the
London County Council as Clearance Areas, and one area comprising 71
dwellings was similarly declared by the Borough Council. Properties
demolished under the Housing Act during the year totalled 99.
Overcrowding.
During the year 18 cases of alleged overcrowding were investigated,
7 of which were confirmed and were referred to the London County Council.
Twenty overcrowded families were rehoused by the London County
Council, and the number of known overcrowded families on the register
decreased from 443 to 430.
Underground Rooms.
There are approximately 2,200 underground rooms in the Borough used
for living or sleeping purposes, 2,076 of which are unfit. During the year
20 rooms were closed, and the modified occupation of one room was approved.
The number of underground rooms closed since 1936, to date, is 442.
Progress on closure generally is held up for lack of suitable alternative
accommddation.
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. Investigation of 23 such applications
was carried out during the year.
Applications for Rehousing.
At the end of the year there were 3,636 applications for rehousing
on the Housing Manager's register. These include licensees of 210
requisitioned premises who are applying for transfer of accommodation,
and tenants of 358 Council dwellings who desire larger or smaller
accommodation.
Preferential Housing on Health Grounds.
Of the 20 cases investigated, 12 were found to come within the
Council's Points Scheme.
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