Changing Lifestyles, 1947 - 2003
The housing shortage was the most bitter of the frustrations of the post war years. Half a million dwellings had been destroyed during the war and a further half million were on the "missing list" because the war had prevented them from being built.
This was not the only problem. The number of family units needing separate accommodation had increased during the war and this continued to increase rapidly during the post war years.
In 1945 the government estimated that there was a housing shortage of 1.75 million homes and if no action was taken there would be a shortage of 3 million homes by 1950.
Housing therefore became a matter of priority and this was reflected in plans made for the use of the scarce materials available. Local councils were encouraged to build houses in a rush and this lead to the building of the 'Smith' houses.
Picture from the British people 1902-1975