Abstract
The purpose of this research is to examine the evolution of low-cost sales housing and give suggestions for the future housing for the 21st century. This paper investigates the trends of low-cost suburban housing since world War II, as examplified by the Levitt housing in the Northeastern regions of the States. This research analyzes the trends of 14 variables including total floor area. lot size, living room size, kitchen size, mean bedroom size, master bedroom size, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, family room, garage, number of story, appliances and features, values, and values per sq ft. Nine entry-level houses were chosen as cases for comparative purpose at different points in time from 1940's to 1990's. This research finds that house sizes have been grown until 1960s, but this trend has reversed with shrinking economy and changing family lifestyles. The trend for smaller housing equipped with several features and convenient equipments will be continued for the next decades to come.