South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-27
FIGURES
SERVE AS BASIS
Plan in New York is Example
for Other Cities in EStimat-
ing Home Shortage.

Statistics showing just how far
New York City is tagging in its
building program, recently compiled
by the New York State Reconstruc-
tien commission. are most illumin-
ating In that they viii serve as a
basis for the preparation Of similar
reports in cities in other sections Of
the country, says the American
Architects weekly review. 1t was
found after extensive examination
OF all the available housing facilities
in New York city that 36,069 homes
will be needed 10 take care OF the
Increased population before the end
OF the year The report says that
all Of these homes should be in tho
process Of construction at the pres
ent time.
The calculation IS based upon the
average number Of buildings and
apartments erected in the years pre-
viOus TO the war. combined with
consideration OF the shift in pOpu-
latiOn and the number of vacant
apartments which have been filled
in that time From this is subtract
ed the number Of apartments which
will probably be ready FOR occupancy
in the autumn.
War Stops Building.
u was learned that during the
two years preceding our entrance
into the war that 1921 buildings
were erected. giving an average of
21,517 apartments each year. But
this was not continued. for in 1917
and 1918 but $40 buildings. mean
ing 1921 apartments, were put up.
If the population had continued
normally the shortage would be Co.
O87 apartments. At the beginning
of this period. however. many va
cancies existed Some OF them have
been filed, thus decreasing this
number. Nearly 10. 600 OF these va
cancies. which were 1886 in 1917
and but 21,4S2 in 1918, were filled
in old law tenement houses, really
unfit for habitation.
The normal shortage OF 26.OS7
was reduced to 1924 by these IA
1913 vacancies Owing 10 the num-
Der OF buildings destroyed this does
not constitute the final figure. In
some way 6.S31 apartments had
been destroyed. Thus. while in
March. 1917, there were 972,6lO
apartments in New York City ana
between March. 1917, and March
1919. 1921 were built. there were
in reality only 9S2.926. whereas
gS9.757 should have resulted. Add
ing the normal shortage Of IL. 1874 10
the 6.S31 destroyed the number
poeded at the beginning of this year
was 1876.
War Workers Move.
It has been estimated that what
ever loss of population New York
may have sustained from a lack of
immigration this was fully balanced
by the influx Of war workers. So
far this year plans have been filed
for 27S buildings containing 1915
apartments Subtracting this from
the total shortage Of 1876, the
present need is lowered TO 1900
apartments.
In the days before the war it was
possible TOT one 10 diAltOSA Ltht MS
pick OF newly erected apartments at
almost any price one felt inclined to
pay. Today long waiting lists are
the rule practically every apartment
house superintendent office. The
most severe shortage Is being felt in
apartments renting from $40 to S45,
as the heaviest demand comes, nat
urany enough, from the moderate
wage Garner. the clerk and salaried
professional man. Prices are being
paid for old. poorly arranged apart
ments. without modern improve
ments. that two years ago would
never have been considered at half
the money now being obtained.
IL is clearly evident that the
shortage OF over $4,000 apartments
IN New York City cannot be met by
fall. but there is no reason why in
smaller communities where condi-
tions have not developed SO acutely,
these shortages cannot be remedied.
Building in New York is only about
so per cent under way. while the
average is more than so per cent in
other sections. and. it is believed.
that the maximum for the present
building season has been obtained.