Tenement Housing Reforms

Tenement housing reforms refer to changes in laws and regulations aimed at improving living conditions in overcrowded, often poorly maintained urban apartment buildings, known as tenements. These reforms typically include standards for better ventilation, sanitation, lighting, and building safety. The goal is to reduce health hazards, prevent fires, and ensure residents have a more livable environment. Initiated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these reforms helped protect vulnerable populations by regulating overcrowding, enforcing cleanliness, and promoting healthier, safer housing options in growing cities.