The Housing Act of 1949, the law with the preamble that for the first time set forth the goal of "a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family," was commemorated during a 50th anniversary celebration at the National Building Museum last week.
The revelers were a little late. The measure was signed into law by President Truman in July, not November. July 11th, to be exact.
But for too many Americans, the party was held a little too early. After all, more than 5 million people pay out more than half their monthly incomes to put a roof over their heads. A third of all families eligible for housing assistance don't receive it. And perhaps worst of all, some of us who perhaps can afford to buy those decent dwelling the law promised us are denied access to credit because of the color of their skin.
Speakers at the luncheon event acknowledged that far more needs to be done. "There are too many have-nots still out there," said Charlie Ruma, the Columbus, Ohio contractor who is president of the National Association of Home Builders.
Leon Weiner, a Delaware builder who once shouted Housing and Urban Development Secretary George Romney off the podium at an NAHB convention with complaints that Uncle Sam wasn't living up to the edict of the '49 law, agreed, calling on the public and private sectors to "rededicate" themselves to the task.
Even current HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo got into the act. "No one in America should be homeless," the government's top housing official said. "It just shouldn't be."
But this was a day for celebration, a day to recognize the accomplishments that have been achieved over the last 50 years. And there are many:
In 1949, the nation's ownership rate was a mere 55 percent. Now, it's a record 67 percent and climbing.
Today, only 1 percent of the country's 119 million housing units lack complete plumbing facilities. Fifty years ago, 35 percent of the 43 million units did not have plumbing.
A half-a-century ago, houses weren't nearly as large or as full of goodies as they are now.
In 1949, the average size house was less than 1,000 square feet, and it had just two bedrooms and one bath. The typical house back than also had no basement, no fireplace, no garage or carport and no air conditioning.
Today, 2,000 square feet is average, and three or more bedrooms, 2 baths, fireplace, double garage and a/c are pretty much standard.
Today's houses aren't nearly as crowded, either. Just 5 percent have more than one person per room as opposed to 16 percent a half-a-century ago.
And they're built better and faster. In 1950, it took an average of 70 days to build the standard one-level house. Now it takes 40 percent less time to produce a house that's twice as big.
To help people afford all these bigger, better houses hey, the
average price as gone up from $11,000 to $190,000 -- a financing system has been developed that's the
envy the world over. Mortgages are available to fit practically anyone's needs.
And to think, it all started with just a few simple and eloquent words "A decent home
and a suitable living environment for every American family."
Published: November 8, 1999
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