Victoria Lodging House

the victoria lodging house the institution was established in 1849 at premises in exchequer row. at that date it had accommodation for 44 individuals; it accepted both male and female but strict segregation was enforced as was the prohibition of drunks and drink. subsequently the lodging house was to be found in 17th-century premises in the guestrow (skene's house) and about 1910 it moved again to 84 west north street. until 1979-80 the institution was administered by the victoria lodging house trust, but with changes in central and local government policies the facility was passed to the care of grampian regional council's social work department. the period prior to the changeover continued, on the face of it, the policy of 'mixed' lodgers. however, the reality was somewhat different in that unlike the city's model lodging house it was managed by one woman who found it easier to oversee men. consequently lodgers were mostly male and of a 'quiet, elderly' type. since 1980 the rules governing the institution have changed. it is now known as 'victoria house reception unit, temporary accommodation' and referal is via the social work dept. thus its quite different from the old victoria lodging house