Revisiting Victory Homes

The suburban project took on anew form and historical significance following WWII. The influx of workers, veterans and farmers immediately following the war exacerbated the wartime housing shortage. The housing shortage during and after WWII led to the first direct federal involvement in house-building. A number of institutions are created to house returning veterans who demanded housing. In 1941, Wartime Housing Limited (WHL) and Wartime Housing Corporation (WHC) were created under auspices of the War Measures Act. The 1942 Veterans’ Land Act, designed to enable agricultural settlement for returning veterans, became more popular as a way of acquiring suburban homes.

The wartime housing constructed by were of a simple minimalist design. These modest one and a half story bungalows with pitched roofs with steeply pitched roofs, though also included advanced technology and kitchens, bath etc. These first rented at very modest prices can still be seen in many cities, such as the Ottawa's postwar suburb of Clarington..

In 1944, the Advisory Committee on Reconstruction (Curtis Committee) called for government to be involved in the housing for low-income families. However, fairly strong hostility to public housing from local governments and provincial governments prevented the more ambitious proposals for non-market housing. Moreover, rival bureaucracies such as the National Housing Administration (NHA) were suspicious that the WHL would overstep its mandate and compete with it and private industry. They were equally fearful that the units would reduce property values and become slums if not torn down after the war. (Wade, 1994: 125)

As a result of cabinet level and bureaucratic resistance to non-profit housing, market-oriented approaches to housing needs would soon became the norm (Bacher, 1993). Housing policy would come to favour home ownership by every family. For example, CMHC officials devoted much of their time to promote the house-building industry. Efforts include ensuring access to mortgage capitals, low interest rates, and increasing the allowed term of mortgages form 15-20-25-35-and until recently up to 40 percent.

During this period, Canadians were transformed from a nation of tenants to a nation of homeowners. From 1951-1961 home ownership from 30 to 54% in metropolitan census areas. While the postwar suburbs were constructed at great speed, they were deliberately planned to maximize consumption of mass produced goods and minimize the responsibility of developers to create public space and public services.