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31
(3) HOUSING CONDITIONS.
The number of new dwellings erected in the area during 1938
was 216. Of this number 69 were houses erected by private
enterprise, and 147 were erected by the C uncil.
Slum Clearance.
At the end of 1937 seven of the ten Clearance Areas included in
the five-year slum clearance programme had been dealt with. The
housing accommodation for the families to be displaced from the
three emaining Clearance Areas Nos. 8, 9 and 10 was almost
completed by the end of the year.
During 1938 the whole of the families from the three Clearance
Areas Nos. 8, 9 and 10 were re-housed, either in the Chertsey Court
Flats or in Council houses, except a few families who did not wish
to be re-housed by the Council.
A summary of proceedings taken in connection with houses unfit
for human habitation since 1930, the date of the last Survey Report,
is given in tabular form in pages 32 and 33.
Overcrowding—Housing Act, 1936—Part IV.
(1). Ascertainment of "Permitted Numbers."
The Housing Act, 1936 requires that every rent-book or similar
document used in relation to any dwelling occupied by the working
classes must contain a statement of the "permitted number" of persons
who may occupy the dwelling. The local authority, on the application
of the landlord or the occupier, is required to inform the applicant
in writing of the "permitted number" in relation to the dwelling.
For the purpose of ascertaining the "permitted number" of a dwelling
it is necessary to obtain the measurements of the rooms in the dwelling.
During 1937 the measurement of the 6,038 "dwellings" included
in the overcrowding survey was proceeded with to ascertain
the "permitted numbers" in respect of them. At the end of the year
the "permitted numbers" had been assigned in respect of 5,969
"dwellings," there being a balance of only 69 awaiting measurement.
This latter figure remained unchanged at the end of 1938.
By the 31st December, 1938, applications from landlords, asking
to be furnished with information as to "permitted numbers," had been
received in respect of 2,954 of the "dwellings" included in the survey.
Certificates giving the "permitted numbers" for these were issued.