Amidst fields of trees, atop hills, throughout valleys and peering out from coastal vistas, the American Dream flourishes. 66% of Americans now own their own homes and that number increases almost every year, as home builders, governmental agencies, lending institutions and housing advocates find more and more ways to put Americans into the driver's seat of home ownership.

A half century ago, a national priority was established with the goal of "a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family", with the passage of the Housing Act of 1949. On November 3, that landmark legislation will be commemorated and celebrated in Washington D.C. at the National Building Museum.

Sponsors of the golden anniversary include the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the National Building Museum itself. NAHB President Charles Ruma appointed Leon Weiner as organizer of the event, which will feature guest speaker Andrew Cuomo for the keynote address and include members of Congress who played important roles in helping to write the original legislation. Also on hand will be a number of housing organizations and media representatives.

Says Weiner, "The Housing Act of 1949 marked the first time that the U.S. government set the goal of providing homes for all of this country's citizens, declaring, 'The general welfare and security of the nation and the health and living standards of its people require housing production …sufficient to remedy the serious housing shortage, the elimination of substandard and other inadequate housing . . . and the realization as soon as feasible of the goal of a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family . . .'"

"Home Builders Care 2000" has become the new NAHB slogan, with its creator NAHB president-elect Robert Mitchell denoting that the Act specifically identifies the private sector for reaching the established goals, and government playing an important supporting role. The Act also stated that "governmental assistance shall be utilized where feasible to enable private enterprise to serve more of the total need."

In 1949, fully 1/3 of the nation's homes lacked complete plumbing systems, according to Mitchell, and that figure stood at 1.1 percent in 1990. The average home size has now doubled, with less than 5% of Americans living in substandard housing, confirming the phenomenal progress made since the Act was established. Although these figures are impressive, the Housing Act's goals remain ambitious, hoping to lessen or eliminate substandard housing and unfair rental practices for low-income households and the elderly.

The post-war boom, creating the massive infrastructure of our American landscape, helped to establish the conveniences we now enjoy, with suitable housing taking center stage in our way of life. Important legislation such as the Housing Act of 1949 can help every American look back with pride at the scope and intense planning it must have taken to undergo such a lofty goal, set by both private enterprise and government, in helping to create the vista of neighborhoods to which we now have all become so accustomed.

Also See:

By Any Other Name, New Homes Still Spur the Economy

Published: October 29, 1999

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