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108
HOUSING.
GENERAL HOUSING CONDITIONS.
121. The general condition of housing in the country as a
whole, a subject which has engaged the attention of the
Ministry of Health and various local authorities since the
Armistice, and the difficulties experienced in providing new
houses, have resulted in a stimulus to local authorities to
improve the conditions in existing houses. The Ministry of
Health issued a Manual on Unfit Houses and Unhealthy Areas
in 1919, and in chapter 2 attention is drawn to the fact that
under the Housing (Inspection of District) Regulations, 1910,
the local authority shall, as part of their procedure, make provision
for a thorough inspection to be carried out from time
to time according to the varying needs of houses or localities
in the district. The Council realised that, owing to war
conditions, a large number of arrears had accumulated, and
accordingly resolved that two additional sanitary inspectors
should be appointed, one permanent, and the other temporary,
and, the approval of the Ministry of Health having been obtained,
these two men were appointed. A systematic housing
survey of the district was begun in February, 1920, although
it was not until June that the two additional Inspectors
commenced duty.
122. Shortage of Houses. The extent of shortage of houses
and the measures taken by the Council are referred to fully
in last year's Report. The Housing Scheme of the Borough
Council has been proceeding during the year, and, although
only 8 houses have been completed, there are 249 in various
stages of completion. The houses, up to the present, have been
let only to Woolwich residents who were living under unsatisfactory
or overcrowded conditions.