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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

These heartbreaking photographs from the 1970s document the everyday life of families living in the slum areas of Birmingham without basic facilities such as power and water. Some families lived in one room without a room surrounded by vermin. Demolished buildings, poor sewerage systems, litter doorways, trash everywhere; these photographs depict poverty that is hard comprehended in modern Birmingham.

Nick Hedges traveled the country in the late-1960s and 70s for the housing charity Shelter, taking photographs of families living in run-down homes, that shocked a nation into action.

#1 Mrs Milne puts her children to bed in the winter, Balsall Heath 1968

Mrs Milne puts her children to bed in the winter, Balsall Heath 1968

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#2 Baby asleep in armchair slum property Balsall Heath

Baby asleep in armchair slum property Balsall Heath

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#3 Backyard and child, Winson Green, 1971

Backyard and child, Winson Green, 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#4 Arms folded, Winson Green 1971

Arms folded, Winson Green 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#5 Young girl with her baby sister, slum property Balsall Heath 1970

Young girl with her baby sister, slum property Balsall Heath 1970

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#6 Overflowing drains Winson Green 1971

Overflowing drains Winson Green 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#7 Mrs Milne putting her children to bed Balsall Heath 1968

Mrs Milne putting her children to bed Balsall Heath 1968

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#8 Mother with her 2 daughters, Winson Green, 1971

Mother with her 2 daughters, Winson Green, 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#9 A mother with her 4 children, 1971

A mother with her 4 children, 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#10 Mother and baby, slum property Sparkbrook, 1971

Mother and baby, slum property Sparkbrook, 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#11 Living in condemned property, Aston, 1971

Living in condemned property, Aston, 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#12 Letter regarding health and slum property, Birmingham 1971

Letter regarding health and slum property, Birmingham 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#13 Left behind after slum clearance, Ladywood 1969

Left behind after slum clearance, Ladywood 1969

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#14 Family in slum property Saltley, 1969

Family in slum property Saltley, 1969

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#15 Child with Impetigo caused by foul drainage, Winson Green 1971

Child with Impetigo caused by foul drainage, Winson Green 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#16 Child living in slum area of Birmingham 1969

Child living in slum area of Birmingham 1969

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#17 Attempts to deal with an infestation, Winson Green, 1971

Attempts to deal with an infestation, Winson Green, 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#18 Baby asleep in slum property Balsall Heath 1970

Baby asleep in slum property Balsall Heath 1970

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#19 Backyard Winson Green, 1971

Backyard Winson Green, 1971

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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#20 Mrs Milne puts her children to bed in the winter, Balsall Heath 1968

Mrs Milne puts her children to bed in the winter, Balsall Heath 1968

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Slums of Birmingham: Powerful Photos Documenting the Squalor and Misery of Slum Britain From 1970s

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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10 Comments

  1. Even though people were living in squalor, poverty, and adversity in these times, they continued to strive for something better. They showed true grit. They didn’t have much but had each other and that’s all that mattered.

    Ironically, even after the slums were cleared, the same areas still face the same (if not more complex) problems from crime and overcrowding to poor housing. But it can only get better.

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