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IV. HOUSING
Clearance Areas.
During the year one area, involving 28 houses, was declared as a
clearance area by the Borough Council.
Demolition Orders.
Demolition Orders on 5 houses and Closing Orders in lieu of Demolition
Orders on 2 houses were made by the Council during the year.
Overcrowding.
During the year 29 cases of alleged overcrowding were investigated,
ten of which were confirmed and referred to the London County Council.
Twelve overcrowded families were rehoused by the London County
Council and 6 by the Borough Council. The number of known overcrowded
families on the register decreased from 363 to 355.
Underground Rooms.
There are approximately 1,650 underground rooms in the Borough used
for living or sleeping purposes, 1,600 of which are unfit. During the
year two rooms were closed and Closing Orders on 6 rooms were determined.
Appeals brought by the owner of two premises against Closing Orders
made' on underground rooms were allowed.
The number of underground fooms closed since 1936 is 453. Progress
on closures generally is held up for lack of suitable alternative accommodation.
Town "c 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 46 such applications
were carried out during the year.
Application for Rehousing.
At the end of the year, there were 3,889 applications for rehousing
on the Housing Manager's register. These included the tenants of 323
Council dwellings who desired larger or smaller accommodation.
Preferential Housing on health grounds.
Ten of the 15 cases investigated were found to come within the
Council's Points Scheme.
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