South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-21
ESTIMATES SHOW
MILLION HOUSES
NEEDED IN j. s.
Demand For Homes Creates
in History of Country De-
clare Washington Heads.

WASHINGTON. April 10 One
million new houses and apartments
are needed throughout the country.
the department OF labor estimates.
The war caused such "a slackening
~ the building industry in every
thing except war essentials that the
demand for homes is now the great
est in the history OF the country OIL
Gals stated. Reports up 20 April Do
show this demand is being met only
slowly. probably due 100 the unceT
tainty of prices or nearly all build
ing materials.
Number May BE Increased.
Returns have been received from
several hundred localities by the
public works and construction divi-
sion OF the labor department and i'm
every one OF them except few
where houses were built by the gov
eminent for war needs d shortage Of
housing is reported.
Complete returns have not vet
been received and the one million
estimate may be- slightly Increased
when all axe in.
New York city shows the greatest
need OF housing. reports showing
that shelter for 5000 families is
needed The greatest demand there
is for modern apartments and tene-
ments. Philadelphia in "a late report
stated about $4,000 housing accom-
modations are needed. Detroits fig
ure is placed at 10000.
Big Drop During War.
These figures. officially. are not
much higher than in most other 10
oalities when compared with the
population.
Before the war between 100000
and 100000 dwellings and apart
ments were built yearly but during
he war the annual figure exclusive
OF those built by the government,
was cut down 90 about $4,000 for the
whole country. This situation. with
the fact that eople enriched by war
wages are demanding more modern
accommodation. is responsible for
crowded conditions, labor depart
ment officials state.
Efforts are being made by the de
partment 20 get this vast amount OF
building under way at once. own
YOUR own home" campaigns are be
ing conducted in many cities with
the view OF having people put their
higher waves into building new
homes OPINION. however. seems To
he that prices must be lowered and
stabilized d. fore much OF the build
ing will get under way.
To assist m home building the Ia
nor department plans 10 ask the next
congress 70 establish system of
home loan banks 20 loan money for
building homes just as the farm
loan banks row loan money on
farms.
Plan Home Loan Banks.
\ tentative draft Of bill provides
that the hOre loan banks shall be
formed ont Of the now private home
loan and building associations.
i'm one district. with aggregates as
sets Of not less than 100000 agree
10 associate themselves and accept
the regulators. one OF the home
loan banks shall bee formed Each
bank shall nave "a paid i'm capital of
500 900 and the building and loan
interests now comforting with the de
partment are asking that they ne
given all The stock. The whole plan
would he under "a national board of
i've members appointed by the presi-
dent Eleven home hanks districts
are propose
a syst a. CT fedora banks will
enable the building and loan asso-
Citations 20 realize on first real estate
mortgages and re-lend the money to
the prosp home builders said
statement OF the department 1T
is said that approximately $500.
100000 viii DO released for further
loans TO bone builders IL congress
sees Al 20 act favorably ON the bill
now being a -afted