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Medical Officer of Health Report
(Continued from page 17.)
HOUSING.
I.—General Housing Conditions in the area:- The general
housing conditions are very good. It is difficult to estimate the
actual housing conditions in Wimbledon, but it can reasonably
be stated that if the houses were occupied only by persons
employed in Wimbledon, or in the near neighbourhood, the
housing accommodation would be sufficient. As previously
stated, however, Wimbledon is one of London's dormitories, and
there is a distinct shortage of houses for those applying for
them, especially from other areas. New houses, whether
erected by private or municipal enterprise, are occupied as soon
as erected, and the cry is for " more." The erection of such
houses, however, does little to combat the overcrowding which
exists. Houses for occupation by the working-classes are not
erected by private enterprise, and suitable sites for such houses
under Municipal schemes are not easily found. The Municipal
Housing Estate is being developed as rapidly as possible, but
cannot be extended indefinitely.
II.—Overcrowding:— Overcrowding exists in practically all
sections of the town, but the extent to which this peril has
grown cannot be given in figures. In many cases the dangerous
states of overcrowding are only discovered on notification
of infectious disease, or on receipt of some complaint as to
sanitary conditions or rent. Even then, little can be done to
remedy the conditions, for any legal action would merely
increase the trouble existing elsewhere. The sub-letting of
rooms shows no decrease, and the same conditions occur again
and again. Local bye-laws might be passed restricting subletting
to the families of those employed locally, but such
measures would be difficult to administer.
In regard to both the above sections, there have been no
important changes or developments in the local conditions of
employment or occupation, to render this shortage of houses
more acute. The problem has ceased to be Municipal and has
become National.
III.—Fitness of Houses:— The general standard of house in
the area is good. The defects found arc mainly what might be
termed " upkeep " defects, due either to want of attention by
the tenants or to want of capital by the owners. House-owners
in this area are anxious to keep their property in good repair,
and are willing to follow the advice given, and carry out the
recommendations of the sanitary inspector. No legal action was
necessary in any ease, beyond the service of the formal notice.
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