An early picture of the Centre's reception area The housing arm of the Centre has gone through many stages of growth and development. It is now known as the Irish Centre Housing Ltd and is one of the largest Irish Housing Associations in Britain. Since 1955 the London Irish Centre has been providing welfare advice, accommodation, training and learning facilities, routes into employment, a "home from home" and a range of cultural experiences for successive generations of Irish people. From modest beginnings in 1955 the services of the Centre have developed down the years. The original social service bureau has now grown into a well resourced advice and information centre, providing a range of personal and community services for the emigrant and for Irish people already living in Britain. The cultural and recreational facilities have also developed over the years. At one time more halls were available in the Centre, but halls are still open, and with its catering facilities it is proud to host many of the key annual Irish events in London. Homeless family waiting for the centre to open