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44
HOUSING CONDITIONS.
The population of 107,200 persons is housed on an area containing
out of approximately 20,000 rateable hereditaments, 19,000 working and
middle-class dwellings. Much of this is old property exhibiting such
inherent defects as dampness, defective ventilation or lighting and lack
or inadequate provision of sanitary conveniences, such as proper provision
for food storage, washing, etc. A large proportion of the houses
are occupied by two or more families, and such occupation increases
the wear and tear upon property already, in many instances, structurally
unsuited for the purpose. So long as houses are inhabited it is necessary
to keep them in a habitable condition, and there is therefore an everincreasing
responsibility placed upon the inspectorial staff to prevent
property going further down hill.
Overcrowding continues to be one of the most difficult problems
encountered. Inasmuch as the increase in the number of families
exceeds the increase in the number of separate dwellings, the need for
additional housing accommodation becomes increasingly manifest. Any
estimate of the number of houses required should therefore be based
as much upon the family as a unit as upon the number of persons per
room or house.
Owing to the fact that all suitable building land in the borough is
already built upon, alleviation of overcrowding is largely dependent
upon vacancies being found upon the London County Council estates.
The Valuer of the London County Council has kindly furnished me
with the following figures relative to the number of Deptford families
so accommodated:—
From the 1st January to 31st December, 1931 —
Families accommodated—
(a) Preferentially on recommendation of the Borough
Council 67
(b) From the London Council General List 169
Total 236
In accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health, the
following is a tabular statement of the Housing Statistics for 1931.
General.
Number of houses erected during the year 3
(Dwellings over shops, 6, 8 and 10 New King Street)