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39
1931. It must not be inferred, however, that this implies a corresponding
general improvement in housing conditions. The density per
room varies with the size of the family. Thus, at the lower end of the
scale, the smallest families show a room density of from 0-49 to 1.01
(1.01 in the case of a family of four persons), while for the largest
families the comparable figure rises to three times this amount.
It is not unusual to take a figure of two persons per room as some
indication of the probable amount of overcrowding that exists. It is
not an actual index as, of course, no cognisance is taken either of the
size of the room or of the age or sex distribution of the inmates. But
it can safely inferred that, where a proportionately large number of the
population is housed at a density of more than two persons per room,
the incidence of overcrowding will be relatively high. In Deptford in
1931, there were 1,862 families (6.4 per cent.), comprising 11,426
persons (11 per cent.) living at a density of more than 2 per room. Of
these, 3,253 were housed at over 3 per room. The records of the
Sanitary Inspectors show that overcrowding continues to be one of the
most pressing problems in the Borough, while the increasing disproportion
between the number of families and available dwellings stresses
the need for further housing accommodation. Owing to the fact that
all suitable building land in the Borough is already built upon, further
housing accommodation is largely dependent upon vacancies being
found upon the London County Council estates. During 1932 the
following figures indicate the number of families for whom provision
has been made:—
Families accommodated:—
(a) Preferentially on recommendation of the Borough Council 43
(b) From the London County Council general list 198
241
Unfit houses and parts of houses and underground sleeping rooms
constitute-a further urgent problem. With the development of a site
at Brockley, the London County Council has signified its willingness
to provide re-housing in connection with any scheme the Deptford
Borough Council adopts for dealing with such property as falls within
the above description. Accordingly, the following properties have been
officially represented to the Borough Council and, although the