The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-30
MAN
 UNABLE TO FIND
 SUITABLE HOME
Messer Suggests Unit Type Building As
 Solution

A stringent need for moderate priced dwellings, with rents ranging between twenty and fifty dollars month, is seen in Birmingham.
 A survey of the leading real estate agencies here shows that few homes of this type are available while inquiries regarding them are received daily at practically every office.
 M. P. Messer, veteran real estate man, estimates that the city could well use thousands of residences in this class today, while the want is becoming more apparent as the population increases.
 As a solution, Messer advocates con- struction programs of the unit-type dwellings, which have been placed in practically every city of size in the country. The homes are erected in compact units and block may be economically built to hold forty fami- lies. The plan is not along the old style tenement idea, but for strictly modern dwellings containing water, lights, heat and all conveniences to make them comfortable homes for the salaried employe.
 Lack Recognized
 The lack of such homes has been a recognized fact in building circles for several months, but so far no developer has taken advantage of the situation ill such a way that would relieve the shortage. This is believed to have been caused by the counter-attractions the real estate market has offered to the in vestor. Business property and phases of the residential field-particularly the bungalow-have presented oppor- tunities for a return which could not be met by the construction of cheaper residences. And while the market has not been entirely q speculative one it has held, at times, such an aspect.
 The general demand in the residential field has also worked to discourage the builder of cheaper types. From time to time there have been apartments and smaller building projects announced which would cater to the salaried man, but while the structures have been built the low rents have not matera- lized.
 That Birmingham is entering upon the greatest era In its history is as- serted by industrial heads. Throughout the eastern and northern states it is receiving greater publicity than it ever has before. Not only are outside ill., dustries becoming interested in the dis trict, but the effect has spread down to the laboring man.
 Mails Heavy
 A good example of the attaction Bir- raingham is proving to the laboring and salaried man is found in a days mail at the Chamber of Commerce. Scores of letters are received by O. l.. Bum, manager, seeking information on the employment and living conditions here. While this salaried element cannot be used unless work is furnished, the swing to the district is a pronounced one, And with the influx of the various classes of employees and plants now in the em- byronic stage, the cheap housing prob lem is expected to become more actue
 To state, without reservations, that Birmingham now has a housing short age would not be entirely authentic since many agencies report vacancies in very desirable property. The con struction programs of this year in the residential field are believed to have fairly well taken care of houses, du- plexes and apartments with rental fig ures of $60 to $100, but finding a sui.- able home that fits the pocketbook of q salaried man who can afford to pay, but from $50 to $40 is almost an i'm possibility.