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(v) Housing Act, 1935: Overcrowding Survey.—In
accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Health, an
overcrowding survey under the above-mentioned Act was made.
HOUSING ACT, 1935.
Overcrowding Survey.
The whole of the houses in the Borough, with the exception of those
belonging to Public Institutions and Dr. Barnardo's Homes, were surveyed.
The work commenced on November 28th, 1935, and Forms “A” were
delivered by hand to each occupier, and part occupier where let separately.
Fourteen days was allowed before collection. Delivery of the forms and collection
was made by enumerators.
Forms “A” were reviewed by the application of the factor-table, page 22
memo “B” and where review proved necessary, measurements of rooms were
obtained from the Rating and Valuation Department.
Forms “B” were made out and the Sanitary Inspectors visited these
houses to check the allocation of rooms.
Final review of forms “B” was then made, determining the incidence
of overcrowding. The whole of the forms were then tabled and abstracted in
accordance with memo “B” and form “C” prepared.
Each of the 9 Wards in the Borough was separately enumerated, also
the housing estates of the Ilford Borough Council and the London County
Council.
Where difficulty of collection of the forms was experienced special letters
from the Town Clerk were sent. It was necessary to arrange evening visits
in some cases; the result was that all the forms with one exception were
collected. In the one case referred to, it appeared there was temporary
residence only.
Unemployed men were engaged as enumerators, also on the tabling and
abstracting under supervision.
From the commencement of the enumeration in November, 1935, and until
April, 1936, an average of 19 men were employed for 10 weeks, reduced to an
average of 8 men for 8 weeks. From November, 1936, to date, 8 men have
been employed on the preparation of the certificates as to the “permitted
number," which it is the Council's duty to provide, on request. Up to the
31st December, 1936, 3,900 certificates as to the “permitted number” have
been granted in respect of 6,987 houses; with a grand total to date, 23/4/37,
of 10,121 certificates in respect of 13,722 houses.
A report was submitted to the Ministry of Health in April, 1936. The
number of cases of overcrowding disclosed in the Borough was 290, as shown
in the following report:—