History Of Housing

Early Shelters  Native Americans Rock Overhangs Enclosed overhangs provided – warmth, privacy, and security Could see great distances Made out of materials found in their area

Colonists  Built houses with the help of neighbors  Limited to the skills and supplies of the area  They attempt to copy the houses of their home land  Housing in early settlements were placed closer together for security reasons

1700’s & 1800’s  America became an Agrarian country – people who earned their living from the land.  Land plots became larger and houses reflected their wealth

Urban Housing  People began to move into the cities  High density areas started to develop Tenement Houses typically built for immigrants. There were no regulations on how to construct them.  1890’s government put the first regulations on housing – tenement housing must have one window in every room

 Row Housing – houses sharing common sidewalls, typically built for factory workers  As technology improved, housing improved. Sanitation, indoor plumbing, ice boxes.  During WWI 1/3 of the population was living in Substandard Housing – houses that are not up to standards that are best for people  First Census (official count of the population) was taken in the 1940’s which showed that housing was substandard

 This lack of housing caused a industry to build manufactured homes (mobile homes)  Tract Houses – similarly built houses on a tract of land

New Towns – urban development consisting of a small to medium-sized city with a broad range of planned housing and industrial, commercial, and recreational facilities.

Societal Influences On Housing  Household Size Family size has been decreasing since the 1970’s  Household Composition The majority of families have changed from married couples to single parent families.  Older Population They may lose some of their physical abilities May want extra rooms for hobbies  People with Disabilities Needs housing that allows them to carry out day-to-day activities

 Affordable Housing  Changing Roles – Duel Income Earning Families – less time for house up-keep  Planning for Leisure Time Location Amenities close to the house Additions onto the house  Mobile Society Trains, boats, RV’s Jobs, Retirement

Environmental Influences on Housing Climate  Temperature  Wind Velocity  Precipitation Topography – Lay of the land  Houses have to have a strong foundation  Design should fit the environment (Frank Lloyd Wright)