tenements

Tenements are multi-story apartment buildings, often located in urban areas, that house many families or individuals in close quarters. Historically, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries, tenements were built quickly and cheaply to accommodate a growing urban population. They typically featured small, crowded living spaces with limited amenities, often lacking proper ventilation, sanitation, and safety standards. While they provided affordable housing for working-class families, conditions could be poor, leading to health and safety issues. Today, the term is associated with older, historically significant buildings, some of which have been renovated or preserved as part of urban heritage.