The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-05-13
BADGER CITIES
SHORT OF HOMES
Troubles of Kenosha Are
Found to Exist in Many
Wisconsin Cities.
RACINE IN BAD PLIGHT

Reports received from many cities
in Wisconsin reveal the fact that athe
!, shortage of homes is growing more
acute and is . problem which must be
faced by the growing communities. In
surveys made in many centers, some
astounding facts have been bought to
light. Kenosha is far from alone in
her struggle to meet housing demands.
Perhaps no city has felt the short
age Of homes greater than Racine. A
lack of 5000 homes is asserted by
many. A survey Of the city revealed
that in the last few years men have
obtained work in plants only to leave
again when it was found impossible
to rent or purchase homes that the
workers might bring their families to
the city. In the last six months, six
corporations have organized for the
purpose of erecting homes and selling
them on easy payment terms. Hardly
are the foundations laid before the
property is sold, the companies report.
The Ajax Rubber company is expend-
ing S1,000,000 in the erection of 200
duplex homes.
Neenah Conditions Bad.
Housing conditions in Neenah are
worse than at any other time in its
history, real estate men assert. At
least 100 homes are needed Immediate
ly. The Neenah building company has
been organized for the purpose of pro-
viding homes.
According to Manitowoc business
men, who recently took survey of
the city. there is no indication that
the home shortage will be relieved be-
fore another year. The house enum-
Grafton showed that 4,400 dwelling
places with shortage of 100. Plans
are under way for the erection of fiji
ty homes which will be completed this
summer.
Oshkosh reports the city is better
situated than some, but good houses
to rent are scarce. A house survey
made by the Association of Commerce
showed 1922 families housed A list of
125 homes showed that they were so
badly in need of repair that they
We're undesirable for occupation.
Living in Churches.
Lacrosse is facing such an acute
shortage of homes that many families
are living in attics, Easements, house
boats and even churches, it is said.
There are 1000 homes in the city, but
800 more are needed Immediately. Four
new factories are being erected and
new families are moving into the city
every day, realtors say, who declare
that the peak of the shortage had not
been reached. The La Crosse Housing
corporation is building eighteen new
homes, which were scheduled to be
completed next month
A survey of Beloit shows that there
is a shortage Of 100 homes. Factories
which employ transients house them
in barracks. About fifty houses are
under construction of which thirty of
them are being built by one Of the
local factories which will care for its
employees only.
Five hundred homes are needed in
Eau Claire and are needed badly, is the
comment made by men in Eau Claire,
who are interesting themselves in try
ing to solve the house shortage prob
lem. Many residents, forced from
their homes, when sold, have had to
seek dwellings in Chippewa Falls. Al
toona, Menomonie or other places.
Many have. been forced to give up
housekeeping and room and board out
survey of the city revealed. About
100 homes are being erected.