Housing
a term which has acquired special significance in this country since the termination of the European War, on account of the scarcity of housing accommodation, caused by the fact that construction had practically ceased; first, on account of the strong demand for labor in the war industries, and second, because of the high prices of building materials. This situation likewise resulted in a rise in rents, sometimes amounting to three or four hundred per cent. over pre-war rates. Many and various are the remedies that have been urged, both through government action and private initiative. One of these was a bill brought before Congress, in 1919, whereby it was proposed to extend substantial loans to the building and loan associations throughout the country, so that these organizations might build homes on a non-profit basis. Another growing movement advocates the formation of co-operative, or co-partnership, building societies, on the same principle as the garden city groups of England.
Various States have also considered plans, or have put them into effect. The most notable of these is the law passed by the Legislature of North Dakota, in 1919, by which is established the North Dakota Housebuilders' Association, and which was granted an appropriation of $100,000 for working expenses, and $10,000,000 to be utilized in advancing funds for housebuilders on first mortgages, on the principle of the building and loan associations.