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IV. HOUSING
The Housing (Underground Rooms) Act, 1959, which came into operation
on 14th June, 1959, amended Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1957, with
respect to the circumstances under which underground rooms may bo closcd.
CI.:arance Ar0ar:.
During the year 13 areas, involving 362 houses, were declared by
the London County Council as Clearance Areas. Properties demolished by
the Borough Council under the Housing Act, during the year, totalled 6.
Overcrowding.
During the year 53 cases of alleged overcrowding were investigated,
19 of which were confirmed and were referred to the London County Council.
Twenty-six overcrowded families were rehoused by the London County
Council and 7 by the Borough Council, and the number of known overcrowded
families on the register decreased from 430 to 357.
Underground Rooms.
There are approximately 2,000 underground rooms in the. Borough used
for living or sleeping purposes, 1,960 of which are unfit. During the
year 5 rooms were closed and Closing Orders on 5 rooms were determined.
The number of underground rooms closed since 1936 is 447. Progress
on closures generally is held up for lack of suitable alternative accomodation.
A Summons was issued against a person for permitting an underground
room to be occupied in contravention of a Closing Order. The defendant
was fined £5. 0. 0d with £3. 8.0d costs.
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 of 33 such applications
were carried out during the year.
Applications for iieliousing.
At the end of the year, there were 3,486 applications for rehousing
on the Housing Manager's register. These include licensees of 110 requisitioned
premises who are applying for transfer of accommodation, and
tenants of 481 Council dwellings who desire larger or smaller accommodation.
Preferential Housing on health grounds.
Of the 19 cases investigated, twelve were found to come within the
Council's Points Scheme.
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