Homelessness Collection

Mount Pleasant Hotel, Kings Cross, London
The Mount Pleasant Hotel at the corner of Kings Cross Road and Calthorpe Street, Central London. The building was originally erected in 1894 as one of Londons six Rowton Houses - large

Poor Fauvette, 1881 (oil on canvas)
GLS219832 Poor Fauvette, 1881 (oil on canvas) by Bastien-Lepage, Jules (1848-84); 162.5x125.7 cm; Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove, Glasgow, Scotland; © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection

Market Hill and former workhouse, Maldon
A view of Market Hill, Maldon, Essex. The large building at the left is the Maldon Unions former workhouse. Date: circa 1900

Houseless and Hungry by Luke Fildes
A study entitled Houseless and Hungry by Luke Fildes depicting homeless paupers queuing outside the casual ward of a London workhouse. A policeman stands at the left of the scene

Guiltcross Union Workhouse, Kenninghall, Norfolk
The Guiltcross Union Workhouse, designed by William Thorold, was erected in 1836-7 at Kenninghall, Norfolk. After its closure in 1902 the site was acquired by the Rev Harold Burden

Walton Hospital, Liverpool
Walton Hospital, Rice Lane, Walton on the Hill, Liverpool. The central clock tower concealed a large water storage tank. The building was designed by William Culshaw

Union Workhouse and Infirmary, Crumpsall, Manchester
Aerial view of the Manchester Union workhouse and infirmary at Crumpsall. At the bottom of the picture can be seen the original workhouse (later Springfield Hospital) with an entrance on the right

Poplar Workhouse, East London
A side view of one of the blocks of the Poplar Union workhouse, located on Poplar High Street, East London

Christmas Day in the Workhouse
Illustration and opening verses of In the Workhouse: Christmas Day - better known as Christmas Day in the Workhouse, written by George R Sims in 1877

ASC Barracks, Grove Park, Lewisham
Entrance to the ASC (Army Service Corps) Barracks on Marvels Lane, Grove Park, Lewisham, south east London. Two officers and a large dog stand at the entrance

East End Doss House, London
Exterior of a lodging house or doss house in the East End of London, probably Whitechapel. A man and a boy stand outside. A sign above the door reads BEDS 4d. Per Night FOR SINGLE MEN ONLY

City of London Union Infirmary, Mile End Road
Situated where Mile End Road continues as Bow Road, the City of London Union Infirmary (now St Clements Hospital) opened in 1849 as the City of London Union workhouse

Telescopic Philanthropy, 1865. Artist: John Tenniel
Telescopic Philanthropy, 1865. Little London Arab. Please M, Ain t We Black Enough to be Cared For? (With Mr. Punchs Compliments to Lord Stanley.) In his novel, Bleak House

Camberwell Workhouse, East Dulwich, London
The administrative block of the Camberwell workhouse opened in 1895 on Constance Road, East Dulwich, south London. The building was designed by Thomas Aldwinckle

Wycombe Union Workhouse, Saunderton, Oxfordshire
The Wycombe Union workhouse at Saunderton, Oxfordshire. The building, designed by George Gilbert Scott and William Bonython Moffatt, was erected in 1843

Manchester Union Schools, Swinton
The Manchester Union Industrial School at Swinton. The school, where 800 pauper children were housed and educated away from the workhouse, was established in 1843, one of the earliest of its type

Maidstone Union Workhouse, Coxheath, Kent
Entrance to the Maidstone Union workhouse. Designed by John Whichcord, it was erected in 1836 on Heath Road in Coxheath. The site later became Linton Hospital

Blandford Union Workhouse, Blandford Forum, Dorset
Distant view of Blandford Union workhouse, from Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset. A house at the left has a sign reading YNCA (or YMCA?)

Bleak House
Vintage engraving from the works of Charles Dickens. From Bleak House. I m Fly, says Jo. But Fen larksm you know. Stow hooking it!

London Slums, c. 1900 (b / w photo)
XJF294006 London Slums, c.1900 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, Essex
The entrance to Oldchurch Hospital, Oldchurch Road, Romford, Essex. The hospital began life in 1839 as the Romford Union workhouse, designed by Francis Edwards

Union Workhouse, Halstead, Essex
The entrance driveway of the Halstead Union workhouse, Essex. The workhouse was built in 1838 on North Street (now Hedingham Road) and was designed by William T Nash

"Appy dossers"(engraving)
3101281 " Appy dossers" (engraving) by Bernard, Frederick L. (1846-1896); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Appy dossers")

Union Workhouse, Hertford
A view of Hertford Union workhouse, Hertfordshire, opened in around 1869 on Ware Road, Hertford. The imposing three-storey building has a clock tower at its centre

Union Workhouse, Easthampstead, Berkshire
A distant view of the Easthampstead Union workhouse, Berkshire, opened in about 1836, in buildings adapted from former almshouses

Alone in London, c. 1894 (oil on canvas)
7333514 Alone in London, c.1894 (oil on canvas) by Graham, Thomas Alexander Ferguson (1840-1906); 89.6x123.5 (framed) cm; Perth Museum & Art Gallery, Scotland; (add.info.: Artist: Graham)

Thousands Were Suddenly Made Homeless, c1940 (1942). Families made homeless by the blitz of World War II. From Frontline 1940-1941. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1942]

Holborn Union Infirmary, Highgate, London
The Holborn Union Infirmary, Archway Road, Highate, North London. A tram passes by. The infirmary, which was opened in 1879, was designed by Henry Saxon Snell

Union Workhouse, Mildenhall, Suffolk
The Mildenhall Union workhouse on Kings Way, Mildenhall, Suffolk. Opened in 1895, it replaced the previous premises elsewhere in the town which had become inadequate

Vagrants asleep in Green Park, Central London
During their daytime opening hours, Londons parks provided a pleasant place for the citys tramps and vagrants to sleep. Green Park, shown here, was typical

West Derby Union cottage homes, Fazakerley, Liverpool
Distant view of the West Derby Union cottage homes at Fazakerley, Liverpool. The homes were opened in 1889 to house pauper children away from the workhouse

Statement of Poor Relief in St Lukes Parish, 1854
A printed summary statement of the poor relief statistics for the London parish of St Luke for the week ending 5 August 1854

The character Oliver Twist
5308168 The character Oliver Twist.; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the character Oliver Twist: Oliver, unhappily apprenticed to the under-taker Sowerby)

The character Oliver Twist
5308166 The character Oliver Twist.; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the character Oliver Twist: Oliver has been 'restored' to Fagin and the boys by Bill Sykes and Nancy)

Engraving depicting homeless Londoners sleeping rough under a railway arch, 19th century
5308823 Engraving depicting homeless Londoners sleeping rough under a railway arch, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting homeless Londoners sleeping rough under a railway arch)

A homeless woman
5616503 A homeless woman; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a homeless woman pleading for shelter at a women's refuge in London. Dated 19th Century. 01/01/1883); Universal History Archive/UIG

Destitute women
5616492 Destitute women; (add.info.: Illustration depicting destitute women awaiting shelter for the night. Dated 19th Century. 01/01/1869); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Illustration depicting sleeping quarters of Medland Hall, 1901 (b/w photo)
5616486 Illustration depicting sleeping quarters of Medland Hall, 1901 (b/w photo); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Joseph Johnson or Black Joe, wounded veteran merchant seaman, wearing his Nelson ship hat
FLO5000869 Joseph Johnson or Black Joe, wounded veteran merchant seaman, wearing his Nelson ship hat. He earned his living as a Regular Chaunter singing songs such as Storm

Tall blind beggar with stick and cap, seller of penny religious tracts, in front of Mr
FLO5000814 Tall blind beggar with stick and cap, seller of penny religious tracts, in front of Mr. Whitbread's brewery, London

Silent blind beggar wear a sign that reads Pray pity the Blind, selling penny tracts from his hat
FLO5000800 Silent blind beggar wear a sign that reads Pray pity the Blind, selling penny tracts from his hat. Copperplate etching drawn and engraved by John Thomas Smith from his Vagabondiana

Medieval beggar types: soap eater (lunatic imposter) from the era of Elizabeth I
FLO5000783 Medieval beggar types: soap eater (lunatic imposter) from the era of Elizabeth I, Tom of Bedlam from the era of Edward VI

Disabled begging Lilly who worked Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. Lost his leg in an accident at Westminster
FLO5003399 Disabled begging Lilly who worked Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. Lost his leg in an accident at Westminster

A Salvation Army prayer meeting (engraving)
8631447 A Salvation Army prayer meeting (engraving) by Johnson, Ernest Borough (1866-1949); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Salvation Army prayer meeting. Illustration from Black and White)

Homeless unemployed and homeless hosted in the flophouse of the boulevard de Charonne in Paris Engraving of "The
ELD4842401 Homeless unemployed and homeless hosted in the flophouse of the boulevard de Charonne in Paris Engraving of "The stages of a tourist in France: Paris

The charitable widow Pijonnat helping a homeless old worker, 1887 (illustration)
ELD4834559 The charitable widow Pijonnat helping a homeless old worker, 1887 (illustration); Private Collection; (add.info)

Coffee distribution for the homeless and the poor at the mission of Water Street, Manhattan, New York, circa 1890
NWI4958666 Coffee distribution for the homeless and the poor at the mission of Water Street, Manhattan, New York, circa 1890

Homeless street boys in the New York Valley, United States, 1890. Colour engraving of the 19th century
NWI4960435 Homeless street boys in the New York Valley, United States, 1890. Colour engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info.: Homeless street boys in the New York Valley, United States, 1890)

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"Homelessness: A Glimpse into the Shadows of Society" In the heart of Kings Cross, London, lies a stark reminder of our society's struggle with homelessness - the Mount Pleasant Hotel. Once a place of refuge for those in need, it now stands as a haunting symbol of despair. As Christmas Day dawns upon us, we are reminded of Charles Dickens' poignant tale "Christmas Day in the Workhouse. " The Market Hill and former workhouse in Maldon serves as a chilling backdrop to this timeless story that sheds light on the plight faced by many during this festive season. Luke Fildes' masterpiece "Houseless and Hungry" captures the raw emotions experienced by those living on the streets. This powerful painting resonates deeply within our souls, urging us to confront our own indifference towards their suffering. Guiltcross Union Workhouse in Kenninghall, Norfolk stands as an embodiment of societal neglect. Its imposing walls witnessed countless lives stripped away from dignity and hope. It reminds us that compassion should never be confined within these cold confines. The Union Workhouse and Infirmary in Crumpsall, Manchester tells tales untold; stories etched into its very bricks, and is here where destitution met illness head-on – reminding us that homelessness knows no boundaries or mercy. Poplar Workhouse in East London whispers forgotten stories through its dilapidated corridors. Within these walls lie echoes of resilience amidst adversity – proof that even amidst darkness, flickers of hope can ignite change. ASC Barracks at Grove Park, Lewisham once sheltered soldiers but later became home to those without one. These barracks bear witness to lives uprooted by circumstance - calling for empathy rather than judgment from passersby. The East End Doss House remains an emblematic testament to survival against all odds. Amidst squalor and desperation lurks unwavering strength - proving that humanity can endure even in the harshest of conditions.