Four New York needle trade unions are contemplating an initial expenditure of $1,000,000 on a block of model apartment houses as part of a general housing scheme to furnish comfortable and up-to-date homes for the families of workers in the needle trades. The unions are the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, the Furriers’ Union and the Cap Makers’ Union. The financial factors in the proposed plan are the International Bank, owned by the garment workers, and the Amalgamated Bank, owned by the clothing workers.
The unions in the needle trades represent about 150,000 workers in this city, most of whom live in Harlem, the Bronx, the east side of Manhattan, Williamsburg, Brownsville and East New York. These families live in the old type of tenement.
It is estimated that the undertaking will permit rentals of between $8 and $10 a room. The plans will make use of the maximum space possible for light and air. Garden’s, children’s playgrounds and play space will be provided.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.