Housing and the Industrial Revolution

Since the Industrial Revolution, the United States has faced many challenges in its housing policy. Many industrial companies provided housing for their employees in the 19th century. This was often driven by the desire to lower the cost of living and improve quality of life for employees.

In the 1930s, public housing was established and the public became more involved in the construction of housing. To insure housing loans, the Federal Housing Administration was established by 1934’s National Housing Act. The housing authority also took over slum clearing efforts. These changes were accompanied by a significant shift in the role of the federal government in housing policy.