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41
There has been an extension in the co-operative scheme with
the London County Council, enabling several Walthamstow
families from Clearance Areas to be allocated accommodation
near to their places of work at Woking, Roehampton and Boreham
Wood.
In addition, nine families have been rehoused from properties
declared unfit.
Acquired Property
Acquisition of property continues but more important is the
increase in the number of these dwellings that are being improved
or converted into smaller units of accommodation.
Transfer of occupiers to permit of progress in this work shows
a "housing profit" in that many give vacant possession of a five
roomed house in return for one or two bedroom flats.
During the period sixteen houses have been converted to give
sixty-seven smaller units and twenty-four houses have been improved
to give modern standards. The present number of vacated properties
for this purpose indicates that next year's results must exceed
current figures.
Halfway Houses
During the year two new halfway houses have been opened at
678 and 1011 Forest Road and both offer a high standard of
accommodation. This gives a total of six halfway houses, providing
accommodation for twenty-seven families.
Out-of-Borough Development
Considerable time has been expended in bringing details of the
out-of-Borough development to the attention of the housing
applicants and tenants of Council houses and the replies received
are distinctly encouraging. So far 1,800 housing applicants have
requested consideration for the accommodation to be erected
outside the Borough. Invitations have been sent to the majority
of tenants and 299 tenants have made specific request for transfer
to the Estates at Canvey Island and Billericay.
The development of the Canvey Island Estate in conjunction
with the Dagenham Borough Council provided for the first dwellings
to be handed over in August. It was reasonable that prospective
occupiers should be able to view the Estate and three coach trips
were arranged on the 25th June, 27th August and 29th October
resulting in over 100 people having the opportunity of viewing and
inspecting some of the houses nearing completion.