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25
WELFARE SERVICES
TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION
At the end of the year temporary accommodation was provided for 132 families in 8 hostels (91
Dartmouth Road; "Rosmoyne", 642 Harrow Road; 54 Winchester Avenue; 9/13 Nicoll Road; 41 Shoot-up
Hill; 240 Willesden Lane; 169 Ealing Road and 60 Brondesbury Villas), in 14 houses purchased by the
Council in advance of requirements in Redevelopment Areas, and in 21 properties on loan from the Department
of the Environment, which were purchased by the Department for eventual demolition in connection
with the Neasden Underpass Scheme and North Circular Trunk Road Improvement Scheme. These latter
properties will have to be vacated early in 1971 when the two Schemes commence and accommodation will
have to be found for 40 families.
A domestic science leader from the London Council of Social Service ran a home making group one
day per week at 91 Dartmouth Road. During the year the group had an average attendance of 7 mothers,
who were given instruction in sewing, cooking and household budgeting, etc. A playgroup was held on 2
sessions per week at 9/13 Nicoll Road and the London Council of Social Service also provided a leader for
a mothers' group at this hostel. In addition, a playgroup leader from the Save the Children Fund attended at
91 Dartmouth Road five mornings a week. The sessions are of great benefit to the children and mothers,
who are given guidance of methods of play and the caring of their children.
During the year a further property, 41 Shoot-up Hill, was purchased out of the £80,000 expenditure
authorised by the Home Office under Phase I of the Urban Development Programme, bringing the total
number of houses purchased to 8.
In October a team of 3 social workers and 1 welfare assistant was formed to deal with the problems
of homeless families.
On the 1st January 1970, 98 families (comprising 97 women, 55 men and 299 children) were in
temporary and emergency accommodation. During the year 81 families were admitted and 47 discharged,
leaving 132 families (comprising 132 women, 84 men and 375 children) in residence at the end of the year.
Of the families discharged, 20 were rehoused by the Council, 13 were rehoused by the G.L.C., and 14 found
their own accommodation. Several voluntary organisations helped provide accommodation, such as Ladyeholme
Company; Gilbert House; Shac and the Salvation Army.
The problem of providing temporary accommodation has remained a serious one. The availability
of economically rented, private accommodation is dwindling. Despite increased co-operation from housing
authorities and the help given by voluntary bodies, the number of families remaining in temporary accommodation
has still tended to increase.
RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION
The total number of beds provided under Section 21(l)(a) of the National Assistance Act 1948 is
515, allocated as shown below:—
Beds
Coplands 62 Men and Women
Courtfield 44 Men and Women
Freeland Road 47 Women
Hillcrest 100 Men and Women
Ithell Court 40 Men and Women
Kenton Grange 34 Men and Women
Kingsbury Manor 23 Women
Mardale 18 Women
Shepperton Court 71 Men and Women
Roberts Court 50 Men and Women
Wren Park 26 Women
During the year, 108 women and 41 men were admitted to the Council's homes on a permanent
basis, and on 31st December 1970, 99 women and 28 men were on the waiting list for admission.
In addition to the old people accommodated in the above homes, the Council is responsible for the
maintenance of a further 213 residents in voluntary and other local authority homes.
The short stay scheme, which enables relatives or friends to have a holiday and an elderly person
a change of routine, continued to operate throughout the year. Six beds for women and four for men were
retained in three of the Wembley homes. Thirty-eight men and 69 women were accommodated under the
scheme, the average stay being 19 days.
The building of a 50 bed home within the neighbourhood Centre Scheme at the junction of Harlesden
Road and Longstone Avenue continued and it is now anticipated that it will be completed in July 1971.
The estimated cost of the building, including fees is £115,200 and furniture £13,250.
The "Friends of Hillcrest", a voluntary association of local residents was formed in January 1968 to
provide extra amenities for the residents of "Hillcrest". Outings and musical evenings are arranged, presents
given to the residents on birthdays and at Christmas, and a fully equipped ladies' hairdressing salon, a
putting green for men, two sun lounges, a greenhouse and a storage shed have been provided. An amplifier,
speakers and a microphone have been purchased to facilitate the entertainments programme. There is a
similar voluntary association giving invaluable help at "Kenton Grange".