18. Victory / Veteran's Housing

During and immediately following World War II there was a huge demand for low cost housing. The first need was to create a small, simple building that could house the employees of war related industries. The second was to provide homes for the returning veterans.
The Federal Government's answer was to develop 2 styles (later 8) of 800 sq. ft. buildings that were partially prefabricated and could easily be assembled by local builders. Virtually every city and town has some. As would be expected, many alterations have been made to them over the intervening 50+ years.

What to look for (clues) ?

• A small home with a moderately steep side-gable or hipped roof.


• Everything is (or was) very plain.


• The main exterior finish was clapboard, although there were examples of composite shingles, stucco and brick siding,


• There were no dormers.


• Originally, the homes were built on a cement slab, but most have added basements over time.

Where to find it ?

There are vast numbers of these homes scattered throughout Ontario's urban settings. I have not checked the other Eastern Provinces, but would assume that they also have their share. I think that these structures served their purpose admirably because the majority of them appear to still be in good shape.