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The year's working will, however, make little impression on the total number of
unfit houses in the Borough. In a borough such as West Ham slum clearance and redevelopment
will be with us for many years to come. They are, unfortunately, not the sort of operations
which can be completed before one turns to other things and, of course, all the time more
houses are falling into the slum category.
It is, however, essential that the clearance of unfit houses should proceed with
all speed, for the importance of good housing from a public health point of view cannot be
over-stressed. It is recognised that bad housing conditions can oause frustration, leading
to both physical and mental illness affeoting many aspects of a person's life, including
their work and social activities. Hygienic practices, like charity, begin at home, and an
essential feature in progress toward this end Is the provision for each family of a fit selfcontained
dwelling with sufficient amenities for leading a healthy life.
The majority of slum houses today are occupied by hard working people endeavouring to
maintain a good standard of cleanliness against constant structural breakdowns. A large
percentage of occupiers carry out decorations of such a standard as to combat inherent
dampness, and, in fact, the decoration often holds the plaster to the walla. They insert
modern grates with decorative tiled surrounds, and today in our clearance area schemes we
consider applications from many tenants for "well-maintained" grants, thus giving some
financial compensation for their efforts.
It is a depressing thought that many people roust of necessity, for many years to
come, live and rear families, and yet throughout their lives be without a bathroom or a
constant hot water supply. The introduction of the patoh and repair clauses, deferred
demolition or improvement clauses in theory provide the answer, but the complications of
administration, practical difficulties and cost involved have resulted in this procedure
not being invoked.
Housing Act, 1957
The Housing Act, 1957, which came into force on the 1st September, 1957, consolidated
all the provisions of the Housing Acts affeoting the Health Department, leaving out only the
Sections dealing with finance, whioh. It is understood, are to be dealt with separately in
a further Bill. The whole of Parts I to IV of the 1936 Act are repealed, as is most of
Part V. The corresponding sections of the new Act incorporate the amendments enacted in the
Acts of 1949, 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1956. By and large there are no major changes in the law.
SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN TOPER THE HOUSING ACTS, 1936-57