Housing of the Working Classes Act 1885 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to amend the Law relating to Dwellings of the Working Classes. |
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| Citation | 48 & 49 Vict. c. 72 |
| Introduced by | |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 14 August 1885 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by |
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Status: Partially repealed
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| Text of the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1885 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk | |
The Housing of the Working Classes Act 1885 was an important Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1885. This law aimed to improve the homes of working-class people. It was one of the first steps the government took to make sure homes were safe and healthy for everyone. It also gave local councils more power to deal with very bad housing conditions.
Contents
Why the Housing Act Was Needed
In the late 1800s, many working-class families lived in very poor conditions. Their homes were often crowded, dirty, and unhealthy.
Lord Salisbury's Concerns
In 1883, Lord Salisbury, a leader of the Conservative Party, wrote an article. He said that bad housing was harmful to people's health and their good behavior. He believed something needed to be done to fix this problem.
Public Reaction to Salisbury's Ideas
Lord Salisbury's ideas caused a stir. Some newspapers thought he was suggesting "State socialism." This meant they believed he wanted the government to control too much, like housing. They felt it was a big change from how things usually worked.
The Royal Commission on Housing
To study the problem, a special group called a Royal Commission was set up in 1884. Sir Charles Dilke led this group. Important people like Lord Salisbury, the Prince of Wales, and Cardinal Manning were members.
The Commission worked very hard. They held 51 meetings and asked 18,000 questions. They visited many poor areas to see the homes for themselves. They also talked to doctors, police, and government officials.
In 1885, the Commission published its findings. They suggested that the government should offer loans to help improve housing. They also wanted local councils to have more power to deal with bad homes. Lord Salisbury disagreed with some parts of the report. He felt it gave too much power to the government.
What the Act Did
Richard Cross, who was the Home Secretary, introduced the new law in Parliament. Lord Salisbury also helped present it in the House of Lords.
Key Powers of the Act
The Act gave local areas the power to get loans from the government's treasury. These loans would be paid back using local taxes. This money could then be used to improve housing.
Making Landlords Responsible
The law also gave the Local Government Board the power to make local councils close down unhealthy houses. It made landlords personally responsible for the health of their tenants. This meant landlords could not rent out properties that were below basic health standards. It became illegal to rent out homes that were not safe or clean.
Criticism of the Act
Not everyone agreed with the new law. Some people thought it went too far.
Lord Wemyss's Objections
Lord Wemyss and his group, the Liberty and Property Defence League, criticized the Act. They called it "class legislation," meaning it focused on one group of people. Lord Wemyss worried that the government would start housing everyone, like police officers.
He also claimed the Act would make people less independent. He believed it would "destroy the moral fibre of our race" by making people rely on the government instead of themselves.
Salisbury's Response to Critics
Lord Salisbury defended the Act. He said that simply calling it "Socialism" would not stop an important law from moving forward. He argued that the Act was based on "the noblest principles of philanthropy and religion." This meant he believed it was about helping people and doing what was right.
See also
- Decimus Alfred Ball "House farmer" mentioned in the Royal Commission reports.
