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112
Despite the number of new houses which have been built in
recent years, the continuous rise in the population, abetted by
the influx of immigrants, means that the housing problem is
ever with us. In my opinion, the prolongation of the life of the
existing houses is a reasonable policy, and in fact the work
carried out by the Public Health Inspectors in serving Housing
Act and Public Health Act Notices for essential repairs in
neglected properties is an Important part of this policy.
A summary of houses inspected, the conditions found and the
results of action taken is contained in Appendix 23.
Improvement grants operated by the Borough Engineer's
Department enabled owners to obtain, under the House Purchase
and Housing Acts 1959 and 1964, a Standard Grant for providing-
(a) A fixed bath or shower
(b) A wash-hand basin
(e) A W.C.
(d) A food store, and
(e) A hot and cold water supply to the bath or shower,
wash-hand basin and to a sink.
or where such level is not practicable a "Reduced Standard
Grant" for providing -
(a) A sink with hot and cold water supply
(b) A W.C.
(c) A food store.
During the year the Health Committee agreed to Public
Health Inspectors carrying out inspections in proposed improvement
areas, but this enterprise has yet to come to fruition end
further information has not yet become available.
Another result of the Housing shortage is reflected in the
increase in the number of houses in multiple occupation i.e.
occupied by more than one family. Where only two families
occupy a house the existing facilities are either sufficient or
can easily be provided, but in cases where houses are let off
in rooms, each room being occupied by a family, serious problems
arise, e.g. shortage of toilets and bathrooms, overcrowding,
lack of hot and cold water supplies and cooking facilities etc.
and lack of adequate means of escape in case of fire, which is
an ever present hazard where families are living in close
confinement and using oil heaters.
Such properties are found usually following complaint made
by one of the tenants or as a result of a house-to-house inspection
of all houses in the area, an undertaking requiring the