Ewolucja polityki mieszkaniowej w Galicji na przełomie XIX i XX wieku (zarys problematyki)
An Outline of the Evolution of Galicia’s Housing Policy at the Turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Summary/Abstract: The author has attempted to outline the issue of housing and the evolution of housing policy in Galicia at the turn of 19th and 20th centuries. Such factors as considerable demographical development in this part of Polish lands in the second half of 19th century and the need to improve the living conditions of the indigent forced the state authorities and autonomous Galician authorities to address the matter. In the Habsburg Monarchy, of which Galicia was a crown land, the public authorities became aware of the housing problem only after the beginning of 20th century. Recognising the need to improve housing conditions, the Austrian government implemented housing reform in a few ways, e.g. they introduced tax allowances and proper legal regulations. Beyond legislative activity, both authorities also took the step of building houses with cheap apartments for their own officials (of different categories) and employees. Municipalities supported the cheap housing associations that had emerged – either by concessions while giving up their own properties, or by joining these organisations as a member. Despite increased activity on the part of state authorities in housing policy and considerable involvement in different public institutions, the housing issue in Galicia remained unsolved. However, the housing conditions changed for the better, especially in bigger cities.

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