Housing

Question 1

Servicemen’s Readjustment Act 1944

Answer 1

Guaranteed low cost home loans to WWII veterans.

Question 2

Tenement Act of 1867

Answer 2

The first major housing code in the United States. The Act required all rooms within tenements to have windows, but it did not require windows to open to the outside.

Question 3

Tenement Act of 1879

Answer 3

Law passed to address the shortcomings of the 1867 Act. The 1879 Act required that windows open to outside air, which resulted in the dumbbell tenement housing type with open air shafts. This form of housing, referred to as “Old Law Tenements,” was built throughout New York City starting in 1879, but often had poor lighting, little air, and little space.

Question 4

Tenement Act of 1901

Answer 4

Resulted in “New Law” tenements and outlawed dumbbell tenements. The new housing code was vigorously enforced by the city, which required inspection and permits for construction and alterations in addition to wide light and air areas between buildings and toilets and running water in each apartment unit.