The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-26
BIG SHORTAGE OF
HOUSES RESULTS
FROM WAR PERIOD

statistics showing just how far New
fcrk city is tagging in its building pro-
srom' recently compiled by the New
York State Reconstruction commission.
are most Illuminating IN that they win
serve as basis for the PR ..aration of
similar reports in cities in orher sections
OF the country. says the American Arch
fleets 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 be-
fore the end Of the year. The report
says that all of these homes should be In
= fhf process Of construction at the pres
-numbes ~ e5i3d.,iin-s ~
erected in the years previous to the war.
combined with consideration Of the
shift In population and the number OF
vacant apartments which have been filled
In that time. From this is subtracted
INC NUMBER OF apartments which win
Probably be ready for occupancy in the
autumn.
1t was learned that during the two
years preceding our entrance into the
war, 1.271 buildings were erected, giving
an average of 21.517 apartments each
year. But this Is not continued. for in
1917 and 1918 but $50 buildings. meaning
16.947 apartments. were put up. II the
population had continued normal the
shortage would be 26, O87 apartments At
the beginning of this period. however
many vacancies existed. Some of them
have been filled. thus decreasing this
number. Nearly 10000 of these vacan-
cies. which were 35,S3s in 1917, and but
n .4S2 in 1913, were filled in old law ten
ement houses. really unfit for habitation.
The normal shortage of 26. 087 was re-
duced to 1884 by these 14153 vacancies.
Owing to the number of buildings de-
stroyed this does not constitute the final
figure. In some way 6.S31 apartments
had been destroyed. Thus. while in
March. 1919. 1897 were built, there
aSs.757 should have resulted Adding the
normal shortage of 1884 to the SSH de-
stroyed the number needed at the be-
ginning of this year was 1S,
It has been estimated that whatever
loss of population New York may have
sustained from q lack of immigration
this was fully, balanced by. the influx
of war workers So far this year plans
have been filed for ITS buildings con-
tanning 4,675 apartments. Subtracting
this from the total shortage of Is, 7t5.
the present need Is lowered to 1900
apartments. Gask
In the days before the war It WAS
possible for one to almost take his pick
any price one felt inclined to pay. To-
day long waiting lists are the rule At
practically every apartment house su-'
perintendent's office. The most severe
shortage Is being felt In apartments
renting from $50 to 346. AZ the heaviest
demand comes. naturally enough. from
the moderate wage Garner. the clerk
and salaried professional man. Prices
are being paid for old. poorly arranged
apartments. without modern improve
nsents. that two years ago would never
nave been considered At nam the money
now being obtained.
IT Is clearly evident that the shortage
Of over 1900 apartments In New York
city cannot be met by fail But there
"a no reason why In smaller communf-
ties. where conditions have not develop
ed 30 acutely. these snorIa9es cannon
h remedied Building m New. York il
orIy about 30 per cent under way. while
the average Is more than 80 per cent
IN other sections. and. it is believed. hat
the maximum for the present building
season has been obtained--The Amer
Jean Architect