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36
SECTION D— HOUSING.
The normal work of making routine house-to-house surveys in
accordance with the directions laid down in the Housing Regulations
has been much curtailed as a result of the War. Even so, the extreme
shortage of labour and of materials has brought almost to a standstill
the service of notices for reconditioning and the closure or demolition
of houses found to be unfit. Under these circumstances all classes of
property in the Borough have naturally fallen into a state of progressive
disrepair.
In spite of these difficulties, 339 houses were inspected under the
powers of the Housing Act, 1936, and all urgent sanitary or housing
defects were abated.
There is still considerable delay in the carrying out of work called
for by notices, but it is hoped that, with the release of more men to
the building trades, and an improvement in the supply of building
material, work of this character may soon proceed at an increased rate.
The number of cases of overcrowding in the Borough is still on
the increase, and there are many cases of houses occupied by two or
three families (e.g. parents accommodating married sons or daughters
and their families), which, while they do not constitute legal overcrowding,
are very near to the sanitary limits and must lead to exceedingly
uncomfortable conditions—as when several families use the same
kitchen facilities and share the same living-room.
It is under these conditions that the urgent need has arisen for
more and more houses, whether prefabricated or permanent, so as to
meet the ever-increasing demands of the public now that hostilities
have ceased and demobilisation of the armed forces has begun.
BILLETING AND EVACUATION.
When hostilities ceased the Public Health Department could not
immediately be released from its obligations in connection with
evacuated persons.
Already, in February 1945, the London County Council had
circularised Evacuation Authorities asking them to prepare plans for
the organised return to their own homes of all evacuees, whether