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Albania
Housing
Official sources indicated that, between 1945 and 1985, nearly
165,000 apartments were built by the state and more than 232,000
houses were constructed by individuals with state assistance.
Nevertheless, living quarters became increasingly overcrowded
because of rapid population growth. Families of four or more persons
often lived in a single room. Newlyweds seeking a private home
faced waiting periods of up to ten years. War and natural catastrophes
added to the burden. During World War II, some 35,000 dwellings
had been destroyed. About 10,000 homes were damaged or destroyed
by earthquakes in 1967 and 1969, and a powerful earthquake in
1979 demolished about 18,000 buildings and left 100,000 people
homeless.
Rural houses were small, sparsely furnished, and simply constructed
of natural rock or stone. Most had one or two rooms, and a hearth
or sometimes a stove for heating and cooking. Urban houses and
apartments usually were small; many lacked central heating. Kitchens
and toilet facilities in apartments had to be shared by three
or four families.
Data as of April 1992
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