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IV. HOUSING
Clearance- Areas.
During the year two areas, involving 178 houses, were declared as
clearance areas by the London County Council.
Closing and Demolition Orders.
Demolition Orders on 14 houses were nade by the Borough Council,
during the year, and 23 houses were demolished in pursuance of orders
made. An appeal against a Closing Order nade by the Council under
the Housing Act, 1957, was brought by the owner of one property, the
case being adjourned sine die by the Court.
Overcrowding.
During the year 68 cases of alleged overcrowding were investigated,
26 of which were confirmed and were referred to the London County Council.
Eighteen overcrowded families were rehoused by the London County
Council and one by the Borough Council, The number of known overcrowded
families on the register increased from 357 to 363.
Underground Rooms.
There are approximately 1,800 underground rooms in the Borough used
for living or sleeping purposes, 1,760 of which are unfit. During the
year 4 rooms were closed and Closing Orders on two rooms were determined.
The number of underground rooms closed since 1936 is 451. Progress
on closures 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 of 28 such
applications were carried out during the year.
Applications for Rehousing.
At the end of the year, there were 3,602 applications for rehousing
on the Housing Manager's register. These included licensees of twelve
requisitioned premises applying for transfer of accommodation and the
tenants of 381 Council dwellings who desired larger or smaller accommodation.
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