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The total of the dwellings already represented is 378 out of
a total of 541 in the five-year programme which was approved by
the Minister of Housing and Local Government in January, 1956 ;
192 properties had then already been dealt with. Thus the Representations
already made cover over two-thirds of the five-year
programme.
In the clearance areas up to and including the Tenby Road
areas, there were 435 families occupying 358 dwellings.
As in previous years, the experience of 1956 in the inspection
of houses for possible clearance has continued to show vast improvement
in the internal condition of many of the houses. When compared
with pre-war conditions in the same areas, attractive decorations
were commonplace, new fireplaces with tiled surrounds were
frequent and occasionally the installation of baths and properly
fitted bathrooms with internal water closets were observed, and all
at the tenants expense. These internal conditions were in marked
contrast to gross structural defects.
The utmost help and co-operation have invariably been
received from both tenants and owner-occupiers.
General
Mr. C. W. Rayner, the Council's Housing Manager, kindly
gives the following details of rehousing, etc. carried out by his
Department in 1956:—
"For the twelve months to December there has been
considerable concentration on the rehousing of families from
the clearance areas.
"Prior to the 1st January, 1956, I arranged for the
rehousing of all the families from the Vallentin Road clearance
area, but during the year in question rehousing from clearance
areas has been as follows:—
53 families from the Frederick Street/Grange Road area.
35 families from the Chingford Lane, etc., area.
35 families from the Back Road/Collard Road/Short Road
area.
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"There are still a number of families to be rehoused from
Frederick Street/Grange Road and with the possible confirmation
of orders in respect of West Street/St. Stephen's Road and
the Tenby Road, area, it would seem that the emphasis on
rehousing from the clearance areas will continue.
"This procedure is naturally having an adverse effect upon
the rehousing of families from the Housing Register and,