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number only the rooms occupied are taken into account. For example,
two rooms (each having a floor area of 110 sq. ft. or over), with a family
having part use of the kitchen, the permitted number is 3 units. One
room (floor area of 110 sq. ft.) with part use of kitchen, the permitted
number is 2 units.
The first-mentioned can be occupied by man, wife, and 2 children
under 10 years of age without being statutorily overcrowded. The
second by 2 adults and a child under 12 months.
A unit is a person over 10 years of age, whilst children between the
ages of 1 year and 10 years count as ½-units; below the age of 12 months,
for purpose of determining the actual number of units in the household,
children are not counted.
The above examples serve to indicate that the standard laid down
by the Housing Acts is not high, but when it is realised that even on this
standard in Harrow 496 families are occupying accommodation recognised
as being overcrowded some idea can be gained of the appalling conditions
under which many families resident in Harrow are living.
The marked increase in the number of cases brought to notice during
the year was due to (a) the return home from the Forces of sons and
daughters who had married during war years ; and to (b) families outgrowing
accommodation either as a result of births or the return home of
single sons and daughters.
It was during July that the number of cases investigated in any one
month reached the peak, cases being added to the register at this time
at the rate of two per day.
The rate of decrease in the number of cases from group (a) will
probably continue during 1947 to reach a level which may remain more
or less constant, so long as there is a housing shortage and conscription
continues. It is anticipated, however, that those in group (b) will
increase. The reason is that many families who left the London areas
during the early years of the war to occupy rooms in Harrow appear to
have little chance of being rehoused by the Authority in whose area they
were living, whilst others wish to remain there. Secondly many who have
married during the last seven years have rented one or two rooms. These
room lettings are in many cases occupied to the equivalent of the permitted
number and may well become crowded by an increase of one
child in the family.
Rehousing.
The Council's policy of referring to the Public Health Department
for grading all housing applicants living in crowded accommodation
has proved to be fully justified. Many families living under intolerable
conditions have by this arrangement been rehoused much sooner than
would have been the case had they been considered only on the general
Points Scheme for the selection of tenants.
The applicants are graded in order of need, which though related to
is not entirely controlled by the degree of crowding. Such factors as a
child under one year, or an expectant mother (which are not reflected in
the equivalent number of persons) are taken into account; also those
living in the smallest unit of accommodation, are given preference over
other cases where the degree of crowding is equal.