The Decline in Boarding and Rooming in Hamilton: 1900 to 1948

Abstract

Existing literature on boarding and rooming establishes the important role of boarding in the housing market. Boarding and rooming have traditionally provided temporary, inexpensive accommodation for those who have come to the city to seek employment. The first half of the twentieth century was a period of dramatic economic and social change and yet there is no study of boarding during this period. This is a study of the declining incidence of boarding and rooming in Hamilton during the period 1900 to 1948. There is a dramatic decline in boarding and rooming during the first fifteen years of the twentieth century. Rates remain low during the 1920's with a slight resurgence seen during the Great Depression and the Second World War. There is a substantial decline in boarding and rooming over the entire period of study 1900 to 1948. Also, there is a decline in the percentage of boarders and roomers that were boarders during the period of study. Changing social tastes demonstrate an increasing preference for the nuclear family. Therefore, individuals residing with the family are no longer encouraged to live as one of the family. The relationship that exists between boarding and rooming and periods of economic prosperity and recession are found to be complex and contradictory in nature. Although periods of prosperity allow individuals to find their own accommodation, this same prosperity attracts increasing numbers of people to the city creating a housing shortage and causing people to have to double up. Similarly, periods of recession create a need for inexpensive accommodation but also, many individuals return to farming during these periods. Finally, the decline that took place in boarding and rooming during this period cannot be explained exclusively by economic changes but also by dramatic social changes that were also taking place during this period.