'Decent home' part of American dream

When it comes to housing the American people, we live in a much better world today than we did in 1949.

Nov. 3 marked the 50th anniversary of President Harry Truman's signing of the Housing Act of 1949. As a nation, we were turning our energies back to peacetime pursuits following victory in World War II. It was the beginning of an era in which personal freedom and individual responsibility went hand in hand and found fulfillment in working hard, raising a family and owning a home. This landmark legislation was the first time that Congress set the goal of providing "a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family."

This nation has come a long way since the Housing Act of 1949, and we could not have done it without the commitment of government and the private sector working together.

During the past 50 years we have more than doubled the nation's supply of housing. Home ownership has increased from a rate of 44 percent in 1949 to more than 66 percent today.

Technology has transformed our homes electric appliances in the kitchen and laundry, television, air conditioning, garage-door openers, microwave ovens, computers, the Internet. These seemed like small miracles when they were first introduced but in relatively short order have become the standards in American housing.

As we venture into a new millennium, this 50th anniversary commemoration marks a golden opportunity for our nation and the home building industry to celebrate the accomplishments of the past as we rededicate ourselves to the task of "providing a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family."

Sam Bradley, president

Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield