The Cost of Shelter Informative Summary

Overview:

In her 1905 book “The Cost of Shelter,” Ellen H. Richards, a pioneer in home economics, examines the rising cost of housing and its impact on families in the early 20th century. Richards argues that the traditional nineteenth-century model of the house, with its emphasis on elaborate living and a large retinue of servants, is no longer sustainable for the rising middle class.

Richards analyzes various types of housing, from the once-ideal colonial farmhouse to the increasingly prevalent city flats, highlighting the shortcomings of each. She identifies the key factors driving the increase in shelter costs: societal expectations of conspicuous consumption, the demand for modern conveniences, the rising cost of land, and the changing role of women in the home.

Key Findings:

The Rise of Conspicuous Consumption: The house has become a symbol of social status, leading families to overspend on shelter and maintain an unsustainable lifestyle.
The Shift from Production to Consumption: The decline of home-based industries has created a focus on consumption rather than production, with a resulting dissatisfaction with the repetitive and often pointless work of the modern household.
The Evolution of the House: The house has evolved from a center of production and family life to a symbol of status and a place for spending, rather than earning, money.
The Unsuitability of the Nineteenth-Century House: The traditional house is not adaptable to the changing needs of modern families, particularly those with limited incomes.
The Need for Efficiency and Adaptability: Richards argues for a move toward efficient and adaptable housing, built with modern conveniences and designed to meet the changing needs of the modern family.

Learning:

The Impact of Societal Expectations: The reader will learn how societal expectations can influence household spending and how these expectations can create pressure to maintain a lifestyle that is unsustainable for many families.
The Importance of Adaptability: The text highlights the importance of adaptability in housing and the need for new designs that cater to the changing needs of families and individuals.
The Importance of Efficiency: Richards emphasizes the need for efficiency in household operations, arguing that the use of labor-saving devices can free up time and energy for other activities.
The Social Significance of Housing: The reader will understand how housing choices affect not just individual families but also the social fabric of the community.

Historical Context:

The early 20th century saw rapid social and economic changes, including urbanization, industrialization, and the rise of the middle class.
The growth of cities created a demand for housing, leading to a shift from single-family homes to apartments and tenements.
The rise of new technologies like electricity and plumbing also influenced housing design and expectations.

Facts:

The concept of “Home” for the Anglo-Saxon race is directly linked to a physical house.
The yearning for home ownership, rather than inheriting it, was a powerful force in the nineteenth century.
The family is defined sociologically by the sharing of a common house, excluding others.
Shelter’s primary function is protection from weather, enemies, and for the rearing of young.
Colonial New England houses were clustered, reflecting the importance of shared work and family life.
The “greed of gain” led to the abandonment of farm homesteads and the separation of families.
Housing is considered a measure of social standing, often leading to dishonesty and conspicuous waste.
The constant movement of families between homes in the early 20th century made it difficult to develop family habits and traditions.
“Privacy” is essential for a healthy family life, insulating it from negative influences.
Housing conditions are considered a major factor in physical deterioration and domestic friction.
The “great white plague” (tuberculosis) was a growing threat, linked to poor housing conditions.
“Too much shelter” can breed decay, with over-protection potentially leading to weaker individuals.
Housing is seen as a major factor in social discontent and a challenge to the social well-being of the community.
The lack of adaptation of nineteenth-century houses to twentieth-century needs contributes to domestic discontent.
The “machine age” has freed humans from manual labor, but this progress is not yet fully reflected in the design of homes.
The rise of the flat has shifted the concept of shelter from a family home to a more individualized space.
The early twentieth-century ideal of a house as a symbol of social standing is on the decline.
The house is becoming a site for promoting an “effective life,” a balance of efficiency and purpose.
Housing needs to be more efficient and adaptable to changing needs and technologies.
The cost of shelter is a significant burden for families, particularly those with limited incomes.

Statistics:

The cost of living has increased by 40% in a few years, with the increase largely attributed to the cost of shelter and its related expenses.
School children in England and America are showing signs of physical deterioration, with conditions linked to poor housing.
Two-thirds of the friction in early marriage is caused by issues with the house.
80-90% of recent building has been of the apartment house type.
Three-fifths of rent-payers in large cities are non-householders, with half of those confined to one room.
The cost of building a house has doubled in the past twenty-five years, primarily due to increased labor costs.
The average cost of building a room is between $1000 and $2000.
The cost of running a house is about two-thirds the cost of the house itself, largely due to cleaning and maintenance.
The French rule for rent is one-fifth of total income, but in America, it is often one-fourth or more.
The cost of modern sanitary appliances has doubled the cost of a given enclosed space.
The cost of a house that would have cost $5,000 in 1850 now costs $20,000.
A house in the real country can be built with modern conveniences for around $5,000, while a comparable suburban block costs half that.
The cost of shelter in the city is around $1,000 per room.
The Morris Building Company’s houses rent for $35-$45 per month with constant heat and hot water.
The average cost of decent living in an Eastern city is between $3,000 and $4,000 per year.
A family with a $1,500 income can safely pay $300 for rent.
A house built on traditional lines costs around $3,000, while a fireproof house costs $10,000.
The cost of maintaining a suburban house with a front yard is high due to the expectation of “trim” landscaping.
The cost of a six-room flat in the city is around $400-$500 per year, while the cost of a comparable suburban house with more air and light is $300-$400 per year.
A city tenement costs around $1 per week for 600 cubic feet of air-space.

Terms:

Euthenics: The science of better living, emphasizing the influence of the environment on individual well-being.
Conspicuous Consumption: A term coined by Thorstein Veblen, describing the use of goods and services to display wealth and social status.
Homestead: A family’s permanent dwelling place, traditionally associated with rural living and a sense of self-sufficiency.
Model Tenement: An apartment building designed to provide safe and sanitary housing for low-income families.
The Great White Plague: A term for tuberculosis, a disease that was prevalent in the early 20th century and often linked to poor housing conditions.
The Effective Life: A philosophy of living that emphasizes purpose, efficiency, and the use of resources in a balanced and productive manner.
Labor-Saving Devices: Machines and technologies designed to reduce manual labor and improve efficiency in the household.
The Instalment Plan: A system of purchasing goods by making regular payments over time, often associated with risky financial practices.
Roof Garden: A garden space built on the roof of a building, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and gardening.

Examples:

The Morris Building Company’s block of single houses in Brooklyn, New York, is an example of a housing project that aims to provide affordable, comfortable living for families with moderate incomes.
The remodelled kitchen in Providence, Rhode Island, with its lignolith floor and glass shelves, demonstrates the possibility of using hospital-grade sanitation in the home.
The Mary Lowell Stone Home Economics Exhibit, which prompted a request for a house design for a family with two children, highlights the demand for housing that balances modern conveniences with affordability.
The Sunlight Park and other housing schemes in England are examples of efforts to provide affordable, sanitary housing for families with limited incomes.
The “oval” housing project proposed by Mrs. Stuckert, with its central kitchen and shared services, illustrates a model of cooperative living.
The example of the young man who was transferred to a different city after his wedding cards were out shows the uncertainty of employment for salaried workers.
The use of a pasteboard model to visualize a house design by a college woman highlights the importance of planning and detail in home building.
The example of the Italian families who pay $2 per month for housing demonstrates the existence of different standards of shelter and the need for tailored solutions.
The widespread use of the “instalment plan” for homeownership exemplifies the risky financial practices that can lead to debt and hardship.
The example of the bride who is disappointed with the house built according to her specifications highlights the need for more thorough planning and knowledge of construction.

Conclusion:

In “The Cost of Shelter,” Ellen H. Richards makes a compelling case for a new approach to housing, one that prioritizes efficiency, adaptability, and the needs of the modern family. Recognizing the limitations of the traditional house, she calls for a shift away from conspicuous consumption and toward a more rational and sustainable model of living.

The book’s main takeaways are:

The Need for Social Change: Societal expectations and outdated models of housing are contributing to the problems of cost, waste, and dissatisfaction in home life.
The Importance of Adaptability: The house needs to be adaptable to changing technologies, family needs, and societal values.
The Power of Efficiency: Efficient design, labor-saving devices, and a focus on essential needs can create a more fulfilling and sustainable lifestyle.
The Role of Education: Raising awareness about the social and economic significance of housing is crucial for promoting responsible choices and driving change.

Richards’s book offers a valuable lens through which to understand the evolving relationship between the house, the family, and society. Her call for a conscious and deliberate shift in housing practices remains relevant, highlighting the ongoing need for innovative solutions that meet the needs of families while fostering a sense of comfort, community, and well-being.

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