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145
depend upon accommodation allocated—the more accommodation,
the more homeless—a most insensitive situation but, in present
circumstances, perhaps inevitable.
Homelessness is a subject of some significant social import about
which a great deal is said, often by those whose knowledge is
limited and whose interpretation is thereby circumscribed. A more
realistic perspective is obtained if it is pointed out that only one
tenth of one per cent of families in Greenwich are homeless. To
those involved it is indeed a very serious matter and, as such, must
be deplored but the problem can hardly be called monumental.
Clearly, in establishing reasons for homelessness we have a duty
not to equate "squalor" with "poverty" nor "inadequacy" or
"irresponsibility" with "underprivileged Furthermore, we must
deprecate the use of these emotive terms in support of institutional
or sectional interests for it carries with it a danger of masking the
true underlying causes. These can range from drug or alcohol
addiction and inadequate personality to financial insecurity and
family discord, problems which are often reaching local authorities
too late for preventive action.
Usually homelessness arises not, as is so often alleged, by reason
of an "uncaring society" or an indifferent "housing authority" or
even a callous "wicked landlord" but rather as a result of one or
a combination of several practical circumstances such as housing
shortage and/or family inadequacy and those who, with adequate
means, are prepared to prey on society. Greve's 1969 Report on
London's Homeless lists reasonable and unreasonable eviction by
the landlord, eviction of newly-weds by parents when children
arrive or in an attempt to attract "out-of-turn" housing priority
and arrears of rent as being the main causes of homelessness.
Two other aspects, not afforded their rightful importance, have
an indirect but somewhat decided effect upon homelessness, viz.
1. The modern tendency of teenagers to leave home where
accommodation is sufficient in order to take up flat life in
the larger cities where housing is scarce.
2. Acquisition of property for student accommodation by
Education Authorities in urban areas close to colleges.
Both result in reducing the total amount of accommodation available
for families with limited means and thereby make their contribution
towards keeping rents high in respect of what little
rentable housing remains available.
The number of families seeking assistance from the Directorate
and the number actually admitted to temporary accommodation
remained fairly constant by reference to the previous year.