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families was found by re-arrangement of lettings in the same house in 41 instances.
In 17 instances, where the permitted number was wrong, a correction showed there
was no overcrowding. Eight cases were re-housed by the Woolwich Borough Council
as part of their general housing policy or through slum clearance. Twelve were
re-housed by the London County Council as part of their abatement of overcrowding
policy. Five cases were dealt with in other ways. Seventy-six families had
removed to other and unknown addresses.
Knowledge of fresh overcrowding came to the department in different ways.
In 19 instances an overcrowded occupier applied for re-housing; on 7 occasions
the owner complained, on one occasion the occupier, while 17 cases were discovered
by the sanitary inspectors. No legal proceedings were instituted in respect of
overcrowding during the year.
No new dwellings have been provided in Woolwich for the relief of overcrowding
as the Council decided that this was a duty of the London County Council. The
number of such dwellings required was estimated in 1936 to be 149. On the standard
of l½ persons per room, this means 40 houses of three rooms, 36 of four rooms, 47 of
five rooms, 13 of six rooms 10 of seven rooms and 3 of eight rooms. The number of
overcrowded families whose circumstances were investigated and whom the London
County Council were asked to re-house on their housing estates was 93.
Inspection of Houses.—The number of houses inspected in accordance with
the provisions of the Housing (Consolidated) Regulations, 1925, was 47, a much
smaller figure than in previous years, due to the demands on the time of the inspectors
in connection with the survey and clearance of unhealthy areas.