Eviction and the Children

So much has been achieved in the last fifty years in improving social conditions in this country that it is only right to state at once that the purpose of this article is not to be critical of what has been accomplished. Indeed, armed with some first-hand knowledge of the problem of evicted families, I am greatly impressed with the administration of the various measures designed to eliminate a social cancer which was deep rooted in ignorance, poverty, squalor and despair. This sincere and understanding administration has gone a long way towards improving the condition of those who, through no fault of their own, have needed assistance and have been prepared to play their own part in rebuilding their lives, and the sad lot of many unable or unwilling to cooperate has been greatly mitigated. But whatever be the cause of the misery of these families?whether it be ignorance or despair?its existence not only makes the heart ache but remains as a menace to the future, affecting so deeply and so detrimentally as it does, the children who grow up under its malign influence. It is always the case, I think, that social reforms bring new problems?or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that when some of the dead branches have been removed other evils become more evident. It was essential to abolish the Workhouse which made little distinction between those who were the victims of fate and those who were incurable paupers with no sense of social responsibility: it was essential to eliminate overcrowding in property which was itself largely unfit for human habitation and yet there was a clear duty to provide other accommodation. The two wars awakened the public conscience on social matters but they also created many difficulties such as, for example, shortage of houses, higher rents and family separations. In the result the National Assistance Act 1948 placed upon Local Authorities the duty of providing temporary accommodation for persons in urgent need and particularly those deprived of accommodation as the result of Flood, Fire or Eviction and out of this grew what are known as Welfare Establishments. The task is a most difficult one and the difficulties are increased by the need to limit the accommodation in these establishments to a fixed period, partly because of congestion and partly because of the undesirability of creating a feeling amongst those persons that the accommodation …