HOUSING PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 4

HOUSING PROBLEMS

An American Scheme

The problem of housing the people is verv much to the fore in New Zeal.ind today, says the "Now Zealand Surveyor” in the course of an article. This is how they do it in Indiana, U.S.A. Four brothers named Boess, running a small business in one of Chicago's industrial suburbs, without borrowing, without subsidy, without any expert advice, frankly bent on making money, set out on a job of providing better homes for workingmen that has attracted national American attention. The brothers started with one advantage. They knew first-hand not only what a low-wage family needs, but what it can afford. They consider that few such families can safely pay more than two years’ income for a home. The

average American workman earns about" £250 a year. The Hoess brothers sell him a new house and an acre of ground for £5OO. Some years back they bought 34 acres eight miles out of town which they managed to hold through the depression. With better times they cut the proiterty into 34 one-acre lots, all fronting on the main road. A second road for sub-divisional purposes would have raised costs, so the lots are cut about 10 chains deep. Gardens are a main consideration, and vegetables will grow regardless of lot dimensions. Then they began to build small houses, which they sell at any stage after the house is enclosed from the weather, deducting what it would have cost to finish the job.’ The buyers are generally men accustomed to work with tools, and they finish their home as they get spare time. Nominally a 10 per cent, deposit is asked for, but many buyers have been accepted on a personal guarantee only. There are no fees or finance charges. The selling agent does not hunt up customers, but spends evenings and weekends at the tract waiting for buyers to appear, on the principle that a man who buys instead of being sold is the better risk.