Post-war homelessness: Makeshift homes between 1945 and the early 1950s

Explore  a wealth of photographs which show the effects of the housing crisis that emerged in Britain after the Second World War came to an end in 1945

The war impacted the housing available to British civilians in several ways. Many houses had been bombed, the birth rate increased, and some who lost loved ones could no longer afford to run their household alone. It’s estimated that around 750,000 new homes were needed.

The New Towns Act of 1946 aimed to tackle overcrowded city centres, and new towns were built with a variety of housing types. Pre-cast reinforced concrete (PRC) homes, built from concrete panels and steel frames, required less skilled labour and could be assembled quickly.

Despite these measures, many people remained on council housing waiting lists, and some took matters into their own hands. Solutions included staying in tents; taking shelter in barns, pigsties or other buildings on farmland; and even living in caves!

Caravans were a popular choice of temporary housing because they were built ‘fit for purpose’ and ready to move into. Some caravan parks were used as official temporary housing by the government, while others were taken over by the homeless of their own accord.

After the war ended, many army bases were left abandoned or unmanned; these too were seized by homeless families. The huts were extremely minimalist, and cooking and washing facilities were communal, but the communities living on the bases were often very supportive.

Gladstone Park Army Camp in London was a well reported case. Basic furniture was taken to the seized huts and partitions were added inside to create bedrooms. For some families, these small buildings were more spacious than the cramped conditions they had lived in previously.

For many homeless families, the best option was to live in existing housing, even if this meant squatting in vacant or abandoned flats and hotels. Many were evicted, and those that did not comply were often arrested and jailed.

It was typical for families squatting in flats to barricade their doors, and travel from room to room on the exterior the building, via narrow window ledges. Police also guarded entrances, preventing well-wishers from supplying food, bedding and other essentials to occupants.

Demonstrations and marches were held to protest against the housing crisis, usually in favour of the squatters seeking refuge. Petitions were signed in support of squatters, and the gatherings gained them allies who showed sympathy and support.

Over time, the housing situation began to change. In 1957, the Rent Act removed statutory restrictions on private accommodation. The aim of this was to further deal with housing shortages and find permanent homes for those squatting, living on the streets or on waiting lists.