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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

1945: POST WWII SUPER CRITICAL HOUSING SHORTAGE

Most of my senior-senior generation recall the critical housing shortage which was visited upon America as millions of our fighting men and women returned home to a peace time America. One of the movies that was included in the hundreds I watched in the Kuser Farm home theater was a housing shortage 20th Century Fox presentation of "Apartment for Peggy," starring my teen age Hollywood heart throb, Jeanne Craine. The above photo of the match box prefabricated homes being rushed into production is shown in the photo. These veteran homes were springing up all over the area. The article to the right of the graphic gives an indication of the severity of the problem.

3 comments:

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....I WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE NAVY IN 1946. WHILE I WAS STATIONED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, I NEVER DREW ANY PAY, I WAS GIVEN A CHECK FOR 12 HUNDRED DOLLARS AT THE TIME. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE IN MORRISILLE FOR $11,000 WITH THE MONEY, A NICE HOME WITH 3 BEDROOMS AND 2 BATHS. IT WAS KIND OF FAR FROM THE POST OFFICE IN TRENTON SO WE SOLD IT AFTER 2 YEARS. THE HOMES IN THE TRENTON AREA DURING THAT TIME WERE PRICED AT AROUND $12,000. WE BOUGHT A HOME OFF GREENWOOD AVE...AND LATER MOVED TO MERCERVILLE. MEANWHILE WE BUILT THE HANILTON BOWLING LANES AND WE MOVED TO EDINBURG ROAD. IT JUST SHOWS THE DIFFERENCE IN COST OF HOMES AT THAT TIME AND TODAY. THE HOUSE ON EDINBURG RD. COST $18,000. TODAY IT MUST BE WORTH $200,000. REGARDS.

Anonymous said...

I was visited by a man who lived in my house on Riverside Drive in the early 1950's. He was the one who explained that my house was actually cut up into two apartments due to the post war housing shortage. It all made sense after what I found being the walls while doing renovations...and old bathroom wall, hidden kitchen window etc. Thankfully, its back to a single...for now. I enjoy your blog immensely Mr. Glover!

Tom Glover said...

Thank, Ralph, and thank you. My house was built in 1939, Judy and I bought it for 16,000 in 1962. When I tell my kids how much it was, they can't imagine the cost being so low compared to today.

And anonymous, I really appreciate your comment and also from the many visitors who take the time to visit and comment. I hope you return often.
Tom