During the inter-war period, many people found themselves crammed into less than adequate housing, often in the inner city where slums had started to develop.
Rent controls had been introduced as a war-time measure, restricting landlords from increasing their rent beyond inflation. However, these remained in place for many years after the war had ended and the consequences for housing were devastating.
As private landlords were unable to increase rent, there was little incentive to improve or maintain their properties, many of which fell into appalling condition.
After the war, there was another increase in population. This was a combination of demobbed soldiers who, having travelled the world, were less keen on returning to the provincial areas that many had come from. They wanted an urban city lifestyle, and they came to Wellington.