View source for Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name             = Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes
| type             = [[Public company|Public]]
| fate             = Dissolved
| successor        = Metropolitan Property Association
| foundation       = <!-- {{Start date|1841}} -->
| founder          = [[Thomas Southwood Smith]], [[George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle|Lord Howard]], [[Hugh Fortescue, 2nd Earl Fortescue|Viscount Ebrington]], [[George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen|Lord Haddo]], [[Sir Ralph Howard]]
| location_city    = [[London]]
| industry         = Housing
| products         = [[Model dwellings]]
}}
In [[London]], the '''Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes''' (MAIDIC) was a [[Victorian era|Victorian]]-era, [[philanthropy|philanthropically]]-motivated [[model dwellings company]]. The association, established in 1841, was fore-runner of the modern [[housing association]] which sought to provide affordable housing for the [[working classes]] on a privately run basis, with a financial return for investors. Although not the first society to build such homes, the Association was the first to be founded expressly for this purpose.<ref name="autogenerated1973">Tarn, J. N. (1973) Five Per Cent Philanthropy. London: CUP</ref> As such it was one of the earliest adopters of the principal of the [[model dwellings companies|five per cent philanthropy]] model, outlined in the Company's resolution: "that an association be formed for the purpose of providing the labouring man with an increase of the comforts and conveniences of life, with full return to the capitalist."<ref name="autogenerated1973"/>
==History==
The association was formed in 1841 by a group including [[Thomas Southwood Smith]], [[George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle]], [[Hugh Fortescue, 2nd Earl Fortescue|Viscount Ebrington]], [[George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen|Lord Haddo]], [[Sir Ralph Howard]]<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50179 Sheppard, F.H.W. (1957) ''Mile End New Town, Survey of London: volume 27: Spitalfields and Mile End New Town''], pp. 265-288. Date accessed: 1 April 2011</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.locallocalhistory.co.uk/gibson/index.htm|title=GIBSON GARDENS|website=Locallocalhistory.co.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref> and [[Thomas Field Gibson]] and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1845.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/vcdf/detail?coll_id=15846&inst_id=118&nv1=search&nv2=|title=AIM25 collection description|website=Aim25.ac.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref> Its first project was the Metropolitan Buildings in Old Pancras Road, [[Kings Cross, London|Kings Cross]], which consisted of 21 two-room and 90 three-room flats in five-storey blocks. It was demonstrated as an archetype of model dwellings and was visited by the [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Consort]] in 1848, as well as [[William Ewart Gladstone|William Gladstone]], [[Charles Kingsley]], [[Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury|Lord Shaftesbury]], [[Charles Dickens]] and the [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Duke of Wellington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/CamdenTheatre.htm|title=The Camden Theatre, Camden High Street and Crowndale Road, Camden Town|website=Arthurlloyd.co.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref> The principal architect on many of these dwellings was [[Henry Roberts (architect)|Henry Roberts]] who pioneered many types of model dwelling, working also with the [[Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes]].
By 1900, the MAIDIC was one of the largest model dwellings companies operating in London, housing over 6,000 individuals.<ref>Wohl, A. S. (1977) The eternal slum: housing and social policy in Victorian London. London: Edward Arnold, p.146</ref> Its activities declined as other model dwellings companies and the [[Greater London Council]] grew, which offered lower rents to a wider range of candidates.
The MAIDIC later became the '''Metropolitan Property Association'''.
==Buildings==
*Metropolitan Buildings, St Pancras Square, Kings Cross (1848)
*[[Gibson Gardens]], [[Stoke Newington]] (1880 - still existing) - named after [[Thomas Field Gibson]]
*Albert Street, [[Mile End New Town]] - exhibited for the [[Great Exhibition]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/1851_Great_Exhibition:_Official_Catalogue:_Class_VII.:_Metropolitan_Association_for_Improving_the_Dwellings_of_the_Industrious_Classess|title=1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class VII.: Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classess|website=Gracesguide.co.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref>
*Grosvenor Estate, Gatliff Road, [[Pimlico]] (1867)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42120|title=Duke Street Area: Artisans' Dwellings in the Duke Street Area - British History Online|website=British-history.ac.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reffell.org.uk/places/socialhousinglondon.php|title=Reffell Family History - Places|first=John|last=Reffell|website=Reffell.org.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref>
*Albert Cottages, [[Stepney]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-205921-albert-cottages-19-26-stepney|title=Albert Cottages, Spitalfields & Banglatown, London|website=Britishlistedbuildings.co.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref> (1858 - still existing)
*Alexandra Cottages, [[Penge]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alexandracottages.co.uk/history-and-conservation/history|title=History - Alexandra Cottages|website=Alexandracottages.co.uk|accessdate=21 May 2018}}</ref> (still existing)
*Farringdon Road Buildings, [[Farringdon, London|Farringdon]]
==See also==
*[[Model Dwellings Companies]]
*[[List of existing model dwellings]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Model dwellings companies}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Housing in London]]
[[Category:Housing organisations based in London]]
[[Category:Philanthropic organisations based in England]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1841]]
[[Category:Model dwellings]]
[[Category:1841 establishments in England]]
[[Category:George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen]]