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ments exist with these homes which allows the authority to meet the maintenance charges
where such a course is appropriate.
Registration of private old people's homes
The local authority has a duty to register and inspect homes run for profit by
private individuals or companies and there are now in the borough 26 registered private old
people's homes offering accommodation for 356 old and/or disabled people. Two homes
registered under the Mental Health Act of 1959 afford accommodation to 34/37 people
recovering from mental illness.
Meals and recreation for the elderly
The close co-operation between the department and the three old people's
voluntary welfare committees has been maintained : the number of meals on wheels distributed
and served has been increased - also the number at luncheon clubs. The two day centres
(Oaks Way, Carshalton and Sutton Lodge, Brighton Road, Sutton), flourish and help many
people to continue living in their own homes - transport being provided on a limited basis to
take people there.
68,933 meals were served to the housebound : 32,035 meals were served in clubs
and centres.
Temporary Accommodation-Homeless Families
Rehabilitation work amongst families in temporary accommodation and rehabilitation
units has continued during the year, but the demand upon the services caring for
homeless families has in no way lessened, and whilst the department's resources by way of
accommodation have always measured up to the demand, there have been occasions when,
with no leeway available for any sudden emergency, the department has been in some danger
of not being able to carry out its statutory functions. Occasionally, voluntary hostels have
been used, and on one occasion at least accommodation had to be offered in what is normally
living accommodation for residential staff of one of the old people's homes.
The council's policy of preventing eviction of families and the break-up of families
by their Minute 1371/70 is now showing signs of being effective; demands for temporary
accommodation from previous council tenants is falling away but more and more families
are being financially supported under the department's powers under the Children Act and
by the aforesaid Minute to a degree never previously experienced in the borough.
There is also an indication that the nature of the problem of homelessness is
changing. There is an increase in the demand for unmarried and unsupported mothers wishing
still to keep their children with them to support them and to bring them up - as one-parent
families, and some very young couples with babies and starting family life without any secure
accommodation are in a vulnerable situation and frequently find themselves homeless with
nowhere to go. But the flexibility of the council's policies and the close liaison between the
Health and Housing Departments and the Social Services Department up to now at least has
invariably found an answer.
Number of temporary accommodation units as at 31st December, 1970:-
25,Cheam Road-consisting of 3 units (to be closed when 10, Rosswood
Gardens, Wallington, is completed)
'Ladymount'-consisting of 4 units
6, Rosswood Gardens-consisting of 4 units
8, Rosswood Gardens-consisting of 4 units and Warden's accommodation.
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