London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1913

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Report of the County Medical Officer—General
89

The next table shows the common lodging-house and casual ward accommodation, the extent of its use, and the number of homeless persons in each year.

Accommodation (beds).Persons.
C.L.H.Cas. wards.Total.C.L.H. (Inmates.)Cas. wards. (Inmates.)Homeless.Total.*
29th January, 190428,8931,76730,66023,4421,2181,79726,457
17th February, 190528,9651,80330,76823,3811,1392,18126,701
8th February, 190728,5251,88230,40722,4501,1372,40425,991
15th January, 190928,8311,80730,63821,8641,1882,38825,440
18th February, 191028,7361,79230,52821,1561,1072,74725,010
17th February, 191128,2421,79530,03721,2041,0911,78524,080
9th February, 191228,2971,81430,11121,4991,0331,20323,735
14th February, 191327,5651,16528,73020,52654664921,721

If reference be made to the last table it will be seen that since 1904 there has been a steady and
continuous reduction in the total numbers of the three classes of persons now under review. More
detailed examination of the figures shows that this reduction in the years 1905-10 could be mainly
attributed to a decline in the common lodging-house population, inasmuch as the number of casual
paupers showed little variation, and the numbers of homeless persons were maintained at a high level
and reached a maximum in the last year of the period. In the report on the enumeration of homeless
persons in the year 1911 it was pointed out that there was some modification of the scheme for providing
homeless persons with free food and shelter at night without sleeping accommodation,
inaugurated by certain charitable institutions. Efforts in connection with this scheme reached a
maximum in the winter of 1909-10, and their relaxation in the following year was accompanied by a
marked decrease in the number of homeless persons. In 1912 whilst the common lodging-house
population showed a distinct rise, the number of homeless persons still further declined. In dealing
with the figures for 1913, however, it would appear to be necessary to abandon the idea that the
relationship of the three sections of the community is as close a one as was formerly thought. On the
original assumption it would naturally be expected that the remarkable fall (1,041 persons) in the
number of casual ward inmates and homeless persons would be accompanied by a corresponding
increase in the number of common lodging-house inmates. On the contrary, however, there is a
reduction in this last mentioned class of 973 persons. This remarkable result would seem to point
to the fact that in addition to the changes in the administration of the Poor Law above referred to,
there are other unrecognised forces exercising a determining influence on these sections of the
community.
With a view to studying the effect produced upon the common lodging-house population by
the carrying out of the new scheme of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, the Chairman of the Public
Health Committee of the Council directed in September last that a census of common lodging-houses
inmates should be taken. This enumeration was made on the night of the 16th September, and
resulted in a total of 19,399 persons being obtained. It was estimated that at this time at least 1,000
persons were away harvesting or in the hop-fields.
With the exception of this occasion it may be mentioned that the number of inmates on the
night of the 14th February last is the lowest recorded in any enumeration undertaken by the Council.
On the night of the 25th November last the number was 21,223, and in a report on the result of this
census it was observed that the number was unusually low, and that it would be interesting to learn
whether the usual winter depression in unskilled trades had any bearing on the question. Apparently,
from whatever the cause, there has been during the past winter a reduction in the amount of absolute
poverty as compared with preceding winters.
In previous reports it has been the practice to include a table showing the number of persons
regarded as " homeless " but found to be actually taking shelter on staircases and under arches on
the night in each year when the census was taken. Details are also given of the weather conditions.
but the variations have not been sufficiently marked to draw any conclusions as to their effect upon
the recorded numbers of homeless persons. The table is, however, here reproduced for purposes of
record:—

Weather conditions and number of persons found on staircases and under arches.

Year.Weather conditions.Males.Females.Total.
1904Cold at first followed by rain10068168
1907Fine and not very cold--50
1909Heavy rain followed by strong, cold wind493988
1910Fine and not very cold102030
1911Fine and not very cold115365
1912Rain early, afterwards fine, and not cold252348
1913Fine and not very cold202141

* These figures do not include the persons in the unlicensed homes and institutions referred to in Table No. IV.
who might also be regarded as belonging to the common lodging house class.
23610 N