Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Second part - XVI. Labour Legislation and Social Statistics - 2. Social Condition and Social Statistics - Workmen's Dwellings, by G. H. von Koch, Editor, Stockholm
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1088 xvi. labour legislation and social statistics of sweden.
private individuals and the facilitation kindly afforded on the part of the city
authorities. As early as 1847, the city representatives resolved to erect
workmen’s dwellings. In 1847/50 there were erected 12 wooden-houses containing 87
habitations, in which in 1890 there lived 249 persons. These city houses were
taken over in 1878 by the Robert Dickson Foundation (Robert Dicksons Stiftelse),
which was established in 1858 by the deceased merchant, Robert Dickson. The
Fund, amounting to 330,000 kronor, should be mainly expended in erecting
dwelling-places for the poorer classes. Building sites were obtained from the
city on most advantageous terms. At the close of the year 1890, the Fund had
erected 44 stone-houses with a total of 339 sets of rooms, which were occupied
by upwards of 1,500 persons. The rent amounts to 180—240 kronor per
habitation of 2 rooms and kitchen, 120—168 kronor for 1 room and kitchen, and
54—102 kronor for single rooms provided with cooking conveniences, all per
annum. Every dwelling-house is provided with special rooms set apart for
washing and baking; water is led into every house. The yards are roomy and
planted with trees. An illustration showing how the buildings look, is shown on
page 1086.
Whereas the houses above mentioned were to remain in the possession of the
Fund, it was the intention with the houses erected by ArbetarbostadsaktieboUiaet
(The Workmen’s Dwelling Accomodation Company, Ltd.) and Sparbanken (The
Gothenburg Savings Bank), that they should pass over to the possession tenant* upon a
certain time allowed for payments made in amortization. The former enterprise was
initiated by three leading men of the city buying a larger site which was
afterwards taken over by the city at the same price. After the plan of the city had
been compiled the site in question was again purchased in 1873 by the company
then constituted at a cost of 4*7 Ore per square foot. The city nevertheless was
to make streets and provide them with drainage and water-pipes. 89 houses are
built, of which 3 are single-houses, 40 double-houses, and 6 are houses of a
transitional character. Double-houses (see p. 1086) consist of two half-houses,
divided by means of a fire-proof wall; every half-house contains 2 habitations of
2 rooms and kitchen on the ground floor; and on the upper floor there are
single rooms with cooking conveniences, or habitations of 1 room and kitchen.
Every half-house shares outhouses and a roomy planted yard. They are allotted
the tenants against a sum of 400 kronor in earnest-money and a monthly rent
of 62 kronor. Amortization on the property, which is valued at 8,700 kronor,
is accomplished in 20 years or thereabouts. Larger houses with a monthly rent
of 64—90 kronor have also been erected. The company has given a dividend
of 4—5 % on the paid-up share capital.
When the tenants have become owners of the houses, the buildings have
in some cases been razed and new larger buildings erected on the site or on
the yards as far as building-regulations have permitted; the immense rise in
the prices of building-sites have induced such measures. It is obvious that this
is not in the interests of sanitation and comfort.
Göteborgs Sparbank (the Gothenburg Savings Bank) has erected buildings
in accordance with the same scheme, although on a smaller scale.
Yet another important building-enterprise may be mentioned. In 1872
Arbetarnes ByggnadsfGrening (The Workmen’s Building Society) was founded. As the
name implies, this was an enterprise undertaken by workmen. Membership of the
Society was granted every respectable citizen against an entrance fee of 2 kronor
(2*2 shillings) and a weekly payment of 25 Ore (31/» d.) for 10 years. The houses
erected were allotted the members by drawing lots. The Society membership roll
increased very rapidly during the first few years in consequence of the scarcity
of dwelling accommodation, the role then embracing upwards of 2,000 members.
The Society obtained sites from the city at a price of 10 öre per square foot,
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