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* 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.
In the last report on homeless persons it was observed that since 1904 there had been a steady
and continuous reduction in the total numbers of the three classes of persons under review. Until and
including the 14th February last all the enumerations had been made in the early part of the year,
and thus they were fairly comparable. The figures for February, 1913, however, were remarkable for
the reason that the considerable fall (1,041 persons) in the number of casual ward inmates and homeless
persons was accompanied by a large reduction (973 persons) in the number of common lodging-house
inmates instead of the increase naturally anticipated on the assumption of a close inter-relationship
among the three sections of the population in question. It was evident that the time at which the census
was taken was an exceptional one and that the special conditions obtaining had affected the results.
The figures now available show that, while the number of homeless persons has increased by 45 the
number of casual ward inmates has diminished by 147. On the other hand, the common lodging-house
population has increased by 328, and this in spite of the fact that the number of free beds was some 200
less, and the number of beds paid for by charitable agencies, including the keepers themselves, was
reduced by more than 100. When it is remembered, moreover, that two of the principal night refuges
were not open on the night of the census but small importance need be attached to the increased
number of persons found in the streets. It is difficult, however, to draw conclusions from a single
enumeration at the beginning of the winter, and it would be interesting to learn whether these numbers
are maintained. The Poor Law scheme referred to in the early part of this report is an effort in the
direction of relieving London of its homeless class, and if pursued it should be possible to deal effectively
with the comparatively small numbers, having regard to the size of the London population,
found on the occasion of the last two enumerations.
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 nights 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:—