View report page

28
relationship and this inevitably reduces the level of family health. Some however do rise above
their surroundings and it is a source of wonder at the fortitude displayed by families who live
under such adverse conditions.
In the post war years housing has assumed a service of increasing importance in the work
of local authorities. But in the clamour for rehousing the significance of the work carried out by
the Health Department should not be overlooked. Much of it is unspectacular, on the other -hand
the department can derive a great deal of satisfaction in the cleared sites of old worn out houses,
now replaced with dwellings complete with modern amenities.
Unfit Houses
It is perhaps opportune at this time to review the work of the department for the past five
years in relation to unfit houses.
The Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954 introduced, for the first time, a standard of what
constitutes an unfit house and as it will be of interest to members the relevant section is set
out below.
4. (1) In determining for any of the purposes of this Act whether a house is unfit for
human habitation, regard shall be had to its condition in respect of the following
matters, that is to say -
(a) repair.
(b) stability;
(c) freedom from damp;
(d) natural lighting;
(e) ventilation;
(f) water supply,
(g) drainage and sanitary conveniences,
(h) facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food
and for the disposal of waste water;
and the house shall be deemed to be unfit for human habitation if and only if it is so
far defective in one or more of the said matters that it is not reasonably suitable for
occupation in that condition."
From this it will be noted that the Housing Act, 1936 items of "disrepair and sanitary
defects" no longer apply, neither indeed, does reference to the Byelaws.
Since June, 1954, nineteen clearance areas have been "officially represented" comprising
a total of 715 unfit houses. Compulsory purchase orders were made in respect of 17 of these
areas. Up to December, 1959 the Minister of Housing and Local Government had confirmed 555
houses as being unfit. The remainder are awaiting inquiries or confirmation.
During the year under review a Public Local Inquiry was held in respect of the Tewkesbury
School Site comprising 88 houses. Also during 1959 the Minister confirmed the Albert/Richmond
Road area as being unfit. Of the 200 houses included in the Official Representation only 3 were
excluded from the unfitness order.
In addition to representation of large areas for clearance, the department is called upon to
exercise its judgment in dealing with individually unfit houses. Thus if an individual unfit
house is incapable at reasonable expense of being made fit an official representation" is submitted
recommending a demolition or closing order.
During the year 1959 a number of these orders were made and the Council accepted the responsibility
for rehousing the occupiers. When unfit houses can be repaired at reasonable cost,
notices under sections 9 and 10 of the Housing Act, 1957 are served and this has continued throughout
the year.