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(18) HOUSING.
During the year under review, 176 houses were built
by private enterprise.
A survey was carried out early during the year, as
required by the Housing Acts, to determine the amount of
overcrowding existing in the working-class dwellings in
the District.
Altogether 3,365 working-class houses were dealt with,
and of this number 199 were measured up as possibly or
definitely overcrowded. The final figures revealed that
53 families were overcrowded, distributed as follows:—
Fulwell Ward 7 cases.
Upper Ward 26 ,,
Lower Ward 12 ,,
South Ward 8 ,,
The above figures include 301 Council houses in which
eight cases of overcrowding were disclosed.
At the end of the year, nine cases of overcrowding had
been abated.
All the working-class houses have now been measured
up, and the number of persons (the "permitted number")
who may occupy each, determined. It becomes an offence
if the "permitted number" in respect of any dwelling is
exceeded after the 1st January, 1937, and by enforcing
this requirement it is anticipated that future overcrowding
will thus be prevented.
The reconditioning of working-class dwellings under
the repair sections of the Housing Acts has progressed
steadily throughout the year, and considerable improvement
in the housing conditions in our working-class areas
has been effected, notably in such roads as Church Lane,
North Place, Fulwell Road, West Road, York Road,
Springfield Road, Field Lane, etc.
The Council has maintained its policy of erecting cheap
maisonettes wherever suitable land has been available, thus
putting into practical effect the wishes of all its members
for the proper housing of the working-classes at economic
rents in Teddington.
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