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35
due to the presence of lodgers who were not related to the original householders.
In 132 instances, the overcrowding was the result of the
natural increase in the size of the family or of the ageing of children.
In 219 cases, the overcrowding was not of the house, but only of rooms
separately let. However great might be the injury to the health of
those living in overcrowded rooms, the restriction of the sub-tenants
to part of the house perhaps is no more damaging to the health of the
inmates than the arrangement by which two families try to live in communal
accommodation.
The first survey to determine the extent of overcrowding carried out
in 1937 showed that 187 families were occupying overcrowded accommodation.
By 1940, this figure had been reduced to 19, but rose to 65
by 1945. In the next twelve months, 486 new cases were added to the
register, and in each of the next two years the numbers added were
greater than the numbers in which overcrowding was abated. This
last year saw a marked improvement in the situation in that the number
abated considerably exceeded the number of new cases. This is unlikely
to happen again on this scale. Of course, there should not be again the
large number of additional new cases which occurred in 1946 and the
following years, the result of the return of those from the forces. On
the other hand, it is known that many are already occupying accommodation
near the limit of crowding and it is inevitable that, with the
ageing of the child members of these families, the child, on attaining
the age of 12 months, ranking as ½ unit instead of as 0, and the child on
attaining the age of 10 ranking as 1 unit instead of i, there must be a
steady addition of new cases of crowding.
To try to restrict new cases of crowding, the owners and tenants
of houses from which families have been removed to be rehoused have
had their attention drawn to their statutory obligations not to permit
the overcrowding of accommodation over which they have control.
Then, towards the end of the year, publicity was given to the fact that
in regard to newly permitted overcrowding which was not the result of
the natural increase in the size of the family, consideration would be
given to the question of whether the penal provisions of the Housing
Act should not be used.
Provision of Houses.
The Council's Housing Programme for the years 1946/52 provided
for the erection of 2,176 housing units, comprising 1,192 houses, 694
flats and 200 temporary houses. The actual number completed in 1946
was 215; 255 and 365 were built in the next two years, and 286 in 1949.
Allocation of Houses.
When the points scheme for the selection of those to whom Council
houses were to be offered was decided upon, those whose needs rested
primarily on health grounds were dealt with separately, particulars of
these being submitted by the Medical Officer of Health to the Selection
Sub-Committee. These three groups were those living in overcrowded
conditions ; those families with a member suffering from open tuberculosis,
and those families living in condemned property.