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room has increased from 6 3 per cent, in 1911 to 7.8 per cent,
in 1921. Taking all these facts into consideration, it is not
overstating the case to say that additional accommodation
is now required for 6,000 persons—say 1,200 families, to
make up the arrears; and, furthermore, that provision
should be made for the natural increase which is taking place
and for the substitution of houses for the existing hutments.
Measures Taken or Contemplated to Meet the Shortage. In
1919 the Council purchased 334 acres of land at Eltham for
the purposes of a housing scheme. All this land was not
suitable for building, but all was required in order to provide
the necessary open spaces for the area, and, therefore, 72
acres were appropriated for this purpose. On a basis of
twelve houses to the acre, 3,144 houses might therefore be
erected on this land. Certain deductions will have to be
made for spaces required for schools, churches and shops.
The Council commenced building in 1920, and, by the end
of 1925, 635 houses had been completed and occupied, 74
were in course of construction, and sanction had been obtained
to erect 91 more. Practically all the houses have been built
of brick, but at the end of the year alternative methods of
construction were being considered by the Housing Committee.
Anticipated Changes in the Population. The development
of arterial roads, the electrification of the Southern Railway,
and the fact that Woolwich is one of the few metropolitan
boroughs where there is any considerable amount of building
land, leads to the natural conclusion that the population of
this Borough will increase rapidly within the next few years,
and that the area, particularly in Eltham, will be developed.
The inclusion of Eltham in the Town Planning Scheme of the
London County Council for South-East London has not come
too soon.