Fpl Designs Meet Family Housing Needs

The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) has developed five house plans for low-cost rural houses to demonstrate cost-saving principles of construction, The plans feature simplicity of design, but provide structurally sound houses that fulfill the needs of many families. To determine to what extent the plans were used, how they met the needs and the acceptance standards of low-income families, and how they could be improved, a questionnaire was mailed to 1,620 individuals who requested and were sent the FPL plans during 1969. A total of 1,129 responded. The replies indicated that 225 houses had been built and that 318 houses were planned for future construction. Ninety-three percent of the reported costs were less than $12,000; 92 percent indicated incomes of less than $7,000. In general, the survey results showthat structurally sound houses can be built to meet the needs of low-income families at prices they can afford to pay. This report should be useful to individuals and organizations concerned with low-cost houses. Builders who consider using the FPL plans should find the information particularly useful.