South Govan Women's Housing Association facts for kids

The South Govan Women's Housing Association was a very important group formed in 1915. It was started by amazing women like Mary Barbour in Govan, a town in Glasgow, Scotland. This group helped families during a tough time, especially when many men were away fighting in the First World War.

Standing Up for Families: The Rent Strikes

During the First World War, many families in Glasgow faced a big problem. Landlords, who owned the houses people rented, started raising the rent. This was very difficult for families, especially since many fathers and sons were away fighting in the war. Their families often had less money coming in. People felt that landlords were taking advantage of them.

Why the Rent Strikes Started

Because of these unfair rent increases, people decided to take action. This led to what is known as the Glasgow Rent Strikes in 1915. A "rent strike" is when tenants, the people who rent homes, refuse to pay their rent until their demands are met. It was a way for ordinary people to protest and demand fair treatment.

Women Leading the Way

Working-class women in Glasgow were at the forefront of these protests. They formed special groups called "tenants associations." The South Govan Women's Housing Association was one of the most important of these groups. It was led by strong and brave women such as Helen Crawfurd, Mary Barbour, Agnes Dollan, and Jessie Stephen.

Their main goals were clear:

• To stop families from being kicked out of their homes (evicted) if they couldn't afford the new, higher rent.
• To campaign for "subsidized housing." This means housing that the government helps pay for, making it more affordable for everyone.

Making a Difference: New Laws and Homes

The efforts of these women and the rent strikes had a huge impact. Their protests were so powerful that the government had to listen.

New Laws for Fair Rent

Their hard work led to new laws being created. One important law was the "Rents and Mortgage Interest Restriction Bill". This law helped to control how much landlords could charge for rent. It protected tenants from unfair increases.

Building Homes Fit for Heroes

Another big achievement was the Housing, Town Planning, &c. Act of 1919. This law was very important because it led to the building of many new homes. Soon after the war, about 213,000 government-supported homes were built. These homes were often called "Homes Fit For Heroes". They were meant to provide good, affordable places for soldiers returning from the war and their families to live. The South Govan Women's Housing Association played a key role in making sure these changes happened.