Chapter 4

‘Housing is absolutely essential to human flourishing. Without stable shelter, it all falls apart.’ Matthew Desmond

When I was born, mum and dad lived at my paternal grandma and grandad’s house for a few weeks, until they got their own back-to-back house in South Mount Street, Beeston.

Back-to-back houses were seen as a means of housing the poor in Victorian England, especially during the Industrial Revolution, but simply became slums. And despite an Act of Parliament in 1909 prohibiting these types of houses being built, they continued to be so until the onset of World War 2, when they were eventually laid to rest. Although I believe in recent years they have witnessed a comeback as modern-day architects and builders design new ways of housing the population and give people a leg-up into the housing market.

When the houses in South Mount Street were pulled down, we moved to Middleton and my grandma soon followed suit. I was three at the time and my sister, two. When the rest of the houses were pulled down, many of my extended family moved to Belle Isle; a good walk, but nevertheless walking distance from Middleton.

Overcoming national criticisms of construction quality and poor sanitation, back-to-back houses continue to exist today; much to my disappointment. Although I am sure there are many who would disagree. According to Dr Joanne Harrison PhD, back-to-back houses remain a popular form of housing in Leeds, despite the negative associations. Hopefully they are a little better than they were back then. Contemporary construction and legislation requiring these houses at least have bathrooms.

Back-to-back houses were built in rows, generally facing each other with another row adjoining the back facing onto the street behind. With the mid-terraces sharing three party walls and having just one exterior wall and outside toilets, not only was sanitation severely compromised, but ventilation too.

There are those who argue the houses are part of the heritage and nostalgia of Leeds and should be preserved. I think it’s a heritage that should be assigned to the annals of history. There is nothing nostalgic about outside toilets, cramped conditions and sub-standard living accommodation. Although as they say an Englishman’s home is his castle and many battles have been fought to save many of these houses across Yorkshire from going under the wrecking ball.

At least as a family, we weren’t homeless. In 2020, I felt compelled to write a blog about homelessness. I had been listening to the folk song ‘500 miles’ generally credited as being written by Hedy West and sung by a number of artists including Hedy herself,  The Journeymen, Joan Baez, of ‘We Shall Overcome’ fame and Sonny and Cher. When you listen to this song, especially the version by Sonny and Cher, a beautiful and haunting melody that highlights the hopelessness, horror, shame and stigma of being homeless it feels almost spiritual. This song tugged at my heart and my head and reminded me of the importance of having a home.

Moving into our council house in Middleton, with its red brick, modern look, with promises of inside toilets in 1966, probably felt a dream for those who had lived in back-to-back terraced houses with those ubiquitous outside toilets.

Our house wasn’t new. According to internet sources land acquired by Leeds City Council in 1920 created room to build a large council housing complex and Middleton and Belle Isle became sprawling estates, such buildings completely changing the rural nature of the landscape. Considered to be a ‘garden suburb’, the gardens were simply too big, uneven and full of rubbish; hedges too long and too high, unmanageable back then for many, never mind as you got older. What should have been a joy, has unfortunately become a nightmare for many.

Children had never had it so good though. Being able to play in your own back garden brought joy to many, after all most had been used to playing on the streets. It was where I built my high jump, a plank of wood balanced on two milk crates either side. What else was there? No spongy mat on the other side for me to land on. It was also where I danced my gymnastic routines to the voice of the Greek singer Demis Roussos, singing ‘Forever and Ever’ and other such dulcet tones. I was 13 when it topped the number one spot in the UK. I would dance in my swimming costume, a black and white number, with a little white frill. I must have driven the neighbours mad.

The area attracted more social housing when the Westwood and Manor Farm estates were developed in the 1960s. I lived on the Middleton estate until I moved to Belle Isle when I was 17 and then onto the Westwood’s in 1984, until me and my then husband moved to Beeston.

Many of the Middleton houses were renovated in the 1970s. With pantries being knocked out there was more space in the kitchen and I think central heating put in or at least renovated and new bathrooms and kitchens.

I’ve never been homeless; thankfully, but I have been without a home of my own. When I came home from London in 1999 just after my dad died I was tired, emotionally in pain and had no home of my own. I moved in with my friend, who probably saved my life and she did her best to stop me from breaking down.

I haven’t heard from her for years. She came into my life for a reason; perhaps this was it. Her kindness I know, I will never forget.

Homelessness is a slight on any country. High rents, which according to some in terms of % costs are as bad if not worse than Victorian England are becoming increasingly unmanageable. And as mortgage rates rise, so do the cost of rents for those living in buy-to-rent homes where landlords are having to absorb the increasing costs. You don’t want to know my view!