Homes Fit For Heroes: The Politics and Architecture of Early State Housing in Britain

Homes fit for Heroes examines the 1918 pledge by the Lloyd George government to construct half a million "homes fit for heroes," which became a significant component of the UK's housing system. The book, first published in 1981, is the only comprehensive study of state housing provision and design in the post-1918 era. It explores the municipal garden suburbs of the 1920s, which were distinct from traditional working-class housing, featuring spacious gardens and luxurious amenities such as upstairs bathrooms. The design of the houses, based on the Tudor Walters Report of 1918, was a key element in the government's strategy to demonstrate the arrival of a "new era for the working classes."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Homes fit for Heroes delves into the profound pledge made by the Lloyd George government a century ago, promising to construct half a million "homes fit for heroes." This pivotal commitment played a significant role in shaping the UK's housing system, making council housing a prominent feature. Originally published in 1981, this comprehensive study stands as the sole exhaustive examination of the provision and design of state housing during the post-1918 era. It explores the distinct municipal garden suburbs of the 1920s, which stood in stark contrast to traditional working-class dwellings. Instead of being confined to long terraces, these houses were nestled within spacious gardens adorned with trees and open spaces, offering a level of luxury previously unheard of in working-class communities. The book reveals that in the tumultuous aftermath of the First World War, the British government initiated the housing campaign as a means to reassure troops and the populace that their aspirations could be fulfilled within the existing system, without the need for revolutionary change. The design of these houses, inspired by the renowned Tudor Walters Report of 1918, was a central component of this strategy. The state's provision of large and comfortable homes served as a visible manifestation of a "new era" for the working classes of the country.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 138 x 214 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138360273