Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham District]
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The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
The Housing, Town Planning, &c. Act, 1909.
The Housing (Inspection of District) Regulations, 1910.
There are very few houses in Tottenham that are in
such a condition as to be unfit for human habitation, and
most of these may, by the expenditure of a reasonable sum of
money, be made fit for human habitation.
Occasionally, however, it becomes necessary to resort to
the extreme measure of issuing Closing Orders in respect of
houses requiring extensive repairs ; but in no instances
during the year have they led to the demolition of
the houses.
The houses in Tottenham are so fully occupied that
when even a small scheme is considered, under which it
is necessary to close certain houses for a time, adequate
accommodation for the displaced tenants is difficult to find.
There does not appear to be activity in the development of
building land, commensurate with the increase in population.
Were there such activity, the efforts of the Sanitary Authority
to improve the conditions under which the poorer of the
working classes live would be more fruitful. By concentration
of energy upon the worst type of dwelling house, there would
be exercised a gentle compulsion upon the inhabitants to shift
into more desirable premises. It is hoped that in the near
future a revival in the building trade will make it possible for
such pressure to be employed.