View report page

One can now with satisfaction pass from 'true' housing matters
to overcrowding.
In this respect, three cases of overcrowding were reported to the
Public Health Committee. In one case the tenants were rehoused by
the Council as they had the required qualifications, whereas in another
case the family were taken to Court by the owner-occupier
and an order made against them for possession. This family was
eventually accommodated in a 'half-way' house under the control of
the Council.
Referring again to the case housed by the Council, here overcrowding
was caused by the marriage of one of the tenant's children, this
being the cause of cramped conditions in many homes. It is to be
hoped that such conditions will become less common now that private
enterprise building is now in full swing, free from the restrictions
of past years.
The second case showed the effect of changed conditions in India,
which seemed to have necessitated certain types of persons leaving
their native land and seeking homes in other parts. This Eurasian
family were accommodated by another similar family, but unfortunately
in one room, which was grossly too small. Obviously such
people have no residential qualification to assist them in getting
a Council residence
The third case resolved itself by the owner-occupier taking action
against the sub-tenant, and here the Council had no occasion to
take any action other than serving a notice on the owner.
Aldersbrook Hutted Camp.
In June a very full report was made on the condition of the 29
huts used for housing purposes and situated on Wanstead Flats in
the Aldersbrook area of the Borough.
These huts were erected as part of an anti-aircraft gun site during
the last war, and are of very poor construction. They were built on
concrete rafts, and consist of wooden framing with an outer shell
of roofing felt and an inner lining of plasterboard.
Alterations were made inside the huts in order to divide them into
rooms, causing a great loss of light. On the whole these buildings
were unfit for housing purposes.
The Public Health Committee were informed, however, that the
Housing Committee were endeavouring to rehouse the local people
living in the camp, so it was decided to take no action for the time
being.
Before the end of the year the huts were being vacated but some
misgivings were felt over those huts occupied by people from other
boroughs.
It is to be hoped that the fate of these deplorable places will soon
be settled, for not only are they objectionable as living quarters,
but they are an eyesore.
19