BUILDING HOMES

Evening Star, Issue 19804, 1 March 1928, Page 9

BUILDING HOMES

GERMANY FACING A PROBLEM. ‘lndustrial and Labor Information,’ the weekly publication of tlio International Labor Office, gives some interesting particulars with regard to the steps taken in Germany to cope with the bousing crisis. The, census of May 16, 1927, revealed the urgent need for nearly a million dwellings in Germany. The building of bouses, on which a beginning had been made in 1921 and 1922, but which had proceeded rather slowly in the succeeding years on account of financial difficulties, has been resumed with greater intensity. The net increase in the number of new dwelling houses (after deducting those demolished, converted to other uses, etc.) was 106,502 in 1924, 178,930 in 1925, and 205,793 in 1926. The record of this last year bids fair to be surpassed in 1927, if one may judge from the figures for the first six months. It must, however, be remembered in connection with this remarkable extension of building activity that the need for dwellings has increased concurrently with the growth of the population. The average minibe ro fhouscholds to be accommodated each year amounts to 150,000. In these circumstances, even if the rate of building were to be still further accelerated, several years would be required in order lo arrive at A complete solution of the problem.