Housing for The Irish Lesson starter: Describe working conditions for Irish immigrants.(3 marks)

When immigrants arrived in cities like Glasgow they had to take the cheapest possible accommodation due to their poverty This placed them in shocking conditions.

What problems would homes like these present? 19 th century Glasgow close

MISERABLE HOMES In 1839 a Government official investigated the old narrow streets of Glasgow and he was horrified.

“ Until I visited the wynds of Glasgow I did not believe that so much crime, misery and disease could exist in any civilised country. These dwellings are so damp no-one could wish to keep his horse in them. In the middle of every court there is a dung heap.” ‘Their bed was a litter of mouldy straw mixed with rags. There was little or no furniture.’ Write down the words/phrases in the source which demonstrate the poor housing conditions. (7 marks)

Slum housing in Aberdeen in 1880

Why was Scottish housing so poor? 1.The population was increasing at a rapid rate (high birth rate and immigration) 2.The government had not passed housing laws 3.Local governments were weak and did not provide basic facilities such as sewers, drains, water supplies, cleaning services or proper roads

4.Housing near work places was either old or built cheaply. 5.Many people were too poor to afford anything better. 6.Homes and workplaces used coal; the smoke created dirty air and disease 7.Foul waste from workplaces spilled out into streets and water supplies

What was bad about Irish immigrants’ Housing? 1. Overcrowding 2. No proper sanitation/ shared and outside toilets 3. Buildings in a state of disrepair 4. Diseases like Cholera, TB, Smallpox common in slums 5. High rents charged by ruthless landlords 6. Lack of ventilation 7. Pollution in air and water from factories 8. No outside or green space

Improvements in Scottish Housing  Scottish Poor Law Act, 1845 set up local groups to help the very poor.  1898 amendment allowed people living in a place for three years to claim relief (previously five years).  Newly arrived Irish immigrants did not qualify.

MORE IMPROVEMENTS  Water supplies  Drainage systems  Sewage systems