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43
Two more houses will be closed in the near future, namely 112,
Southwark Bridge Road for men, and 7 and 8 Dorrit Street for women.
In the case of the former, I am informed that the lease expires at an
early date, and the latter will eventually be dealt with in the Red Cross
Street area.
The reduction of the number of Common Lodging Houses will not
materially affect the position at the present time, because none have
their full complement of lodgers. On an average, only 50 per cent. of
the accommodation is used in the case of women's houses, and 70 per
cent. in the men's.
The types of houses come within different categories. Some of them
are old houses which have been converted, and although they are kept
in a clean condition, the structure is such that one could not consider
them eminently desirable. Others have been specially built for the
purpose but fall short of ideal conditions. On the other hand, there are
some—e.g., Cecil House and the Salvation Army Hostel, etc.—which
are modern in construction, and provide every facility for personal
ablution and provision for resting and recreation in most comfortable
quarters, apart from the sleeping dormitories.
In the Borough, however, there are other premises which cannot be
designated as Common Lodging Houses, but cater for homeless persons
and are known as free shelters. One has to appreciate from a charitable
point of view the provision of such places, but from a health and sanitary
point of view they are most undesirable, owing to the fact that the strict
supervision which is given to Common Lodging Houses cannot be applied
in these cases.
There are also premises which claim to be exempt from supervision,
because the lodgers pay weekly, although there are as many as 9 persons
sleeping in one room.
One can only observe from the facts stated in regard to the last types
of institutions—i.e., free shelters and those which cater for weekly
tenants—that greater powers of control are needed so that these premises
are brought within the operation of the Bye-laws and Acts relating to
Common Lodging Houses.
It is possible in the near future that consideration will be given to
instituting Municipal owned and controlled Common Lodging Houses,
which would benefit the persons inhabiting such places, and also the
public who live in the vicinity.