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30
If an analysis of the work done by the Sanitary Inspectors is
made approximately 80% of their visits are in connection with housing.
Since 1945 over 5,000 notices have been served under Section
9, Housing Act, 1936, and work to the value of £45,000 has been
carried out and supervised by the Sanitary Inspectors, in owners
defaulto
In a borough of this character it will be agreed that this work
is a substantial contribution to the housing problem; but is still
not enough,, Experience shows that bad housing is a prime cause of
physical and emotional distress, and people living under adverse
housing conditions cannot derive full benefit from the advances
that have been made through recent social legislation.
A stage is being reached where it is impossible to contemplate
further redevelopment; a deciding factor being lack of building
land.
Special attention must be drawn to the "age group" analysis of
the houses in the Borough, where it is shown that over 12,000 houses
are 56 years old or over. Judged by minimum standards at least
2,500 of them should be demolished The others all lack amenities
which may now be regarded as necessities of every day life.
Despite the urgency of the need of houses for new families,
consideration must be given to the prospects of rehousing the occupiers
of the insanitary and obsolescent houses. In this respect
the Greater London plan calls for fixing the density in areas such
as Tottenham. At the present rate of building and at this arbitrary
density, slum clearance can never be carried out, resulting
in an inevitable stalemate.
The density of development in the Borough must therefore be
increased if the problem of inadequate housing is to be solved; and
permission sought to proceed with the immediate clearance of unhealthy
areas.
The type of development to be effective, is multiple storied
flats whether of choice or expediency.
Housing Act, 1949.
Applications for assistance have been made to the Corporation
under this Act, but it has been clear that not all applicants are