Cryptic crossword clue
Family provided accommodation for taking in harmless old ladies, initially 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word HOUSEHOLD

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
H
O
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S
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H
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Family" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case family = household.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does HOUSEHOLD mean?

HOUSEHOLD noun
  1. Collectively, all the persons who live in a given house; a family including attendants, servants etc.; a domestic or family establishment.
  2. A line of ancestry; a race or house.
HOUSEHOLD adjective
  1. Belonging to the same house and family.
  2. Found in or having its origin in a home.
  3. Widely known to the public; familiar.

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