Tenement
A multi-occupancy building, adapted or built for the working class
Real World Example
During the Industrial Revolution from 1750-1850, tenements were large, multi-family buildings designed to house the growing number of workers flocking to urban centers for factory jobs. They were important because they provided affordable housing, albeit often cramped and unsanitary, for the working class in rapidly industrializing cities. Tenements represented both the opportunities and challenges of urban life, highlighting the need for better living conditions and social reforms. Today, the idea behind tenements is reflected in modern affordable housing projects, which aim to provide safe and accessible living spaces for low-income families. For example, city initiatives like New York City's affordable housing programs strive to ensure that everyone has a place to live, echoing the tenement's role in supporting the working class.