Evening star., 1943-05-31
Postwar Housing Need
Expecfed 10 Exceed
100000 Units
Country Entered War
With Deficit of Million
Homes, Expert Says

Between 100000 anC 45OO.OOO
family dwelling units will be needed
to meet housing demands in the
United States during the immediate
postwar period, Commerce De-
partment expert predicts.
In an article in Domestic Com
merce, j. Joseph Palmer, chief of
the departments construction unit.
said that the country entered the
war with deficit of pproximately
100000 dwelling units. and that the
deficit is increasing at an annual
rate of 100000 to 100000 units.
In view of the virtual elimination
of private residential construction.
except for a small number of pri-
vately financed housing projects.
this estimate of annual deficit may
be an understatement. Mr.. Palmer
pointed out. adding that the ma
tional shortage in dwelling units
may reach 100000 units or more
by 1916 To this total, he explained.
must be added the potential demand
stemmlng from the increased pur-
chasing power which the war has
brought to large proportion of the
population.
Three Varieties Foreseen,
More than 100000 of the units
needed in the postwar period will
be of the single dwelling type, he
said
Postwar residential construction
will be of three principal kinds, he
predicted. First, the erection of
new dwelling units or structures con-
tanning dwelling units. Second, the
conversion Of old structures into
the equivalent of new, modern
homes Third, the repair and main
tenance Of existing structures.
"All will be major compOnents of
the postwar market for building ma
terials and for the services of build
ing contractors" he stated.
Though definite statistics are lack
ing Mr.. Palmer expressed the view
that conversion will be undertaken
on a much bigger scale than ever
before This conversion trend. he
said. probably will be reflected in a
reduction in the sale of heavy con-
struction Components in favor of
greater OUTLAWS for lighted materials,
decoration, insulation, heating and
lighting.
Government To Be Vital Factor.
That the Federal Government will
continue to be an important factor
In supplying new residential con-
struction in the postwar period now
seems unlikely. according to Mr.. Pal
mer.
To facilitate both public and pri-
vate construction, II has been pro-
posed that the Federal Government
finance die purchase by interested
municipalities OF So-Called "bnghted
areas"
"Wha. would be done with such
areas, once they were purchased
would. Of course, depend largely
upon local needs and conditions" ." he
said. In all events, it is to be ex-
pected hat such a program, if un-
dertaken, will be directed toward the
maintenance OF property values
rather than their reduction or de-
struCtion.'
The construction industry after
the war Will face several obstacles,
both local and national, Mr.. Pal
mer warned. One Of these Is the
competition for such materials as
steel and lumber, both Of which en-
ter into the production of a wide
range Of consumer goods.
Another obstacle cited by Mr.. Pal
mer is the expected demand for
building materials from other Amer
lean republics, which cuStomarily
depend upon the United States and
European so,Hces for their supplies.
Both SOMceS, Nj. Palmer pointed
out have long been closed. creating
a large pent-up demand for build
ing materials.