In September it was declared by Coun. W. J. Sawford that Rushden would need 2,000 houses after the war.  No one else has been bold enough to suggest that the town will have to expand by nearly 50 per cent. during the next few years, but all seem agreed that much scope exists for a lively housing policy.

  The fact that Rushden Urban Council owns 734 houses, which were built between 1914 and 1937, at a cost of £356,322, is a striking indication of the town’s recent development.  Most of these houses have been put up since 1918, and in the same period private enterprise has created Purvis-road, Park-avenue, St. Mary’s-avenue, Hall-avenue, St. Peter’s-avenue, and a few other streets, in addition to developing Wymington-road as a residential part.

  Population, however, has not kept pace with building.  It has risen only by 1,500 since the last war.  This means that there are more family units, but of smaller average size.

  Having made most of its growth in the last 60 or 70 years, Rushden is not overburdened with dilapidated property, and only two houses that were condemned for demolition before the war have been re-let under temporary war-time licences.

  Of the many hundreds of evacuees and refugees who have sheltered in Rushden during the war, most have left, or will do so after the war in Europe ends, but a proportion must certainly be allowed for as permanent settlers.

  War-time marriages are expected to have an adverse effect on Rushden’s population.  Visits by the Royal Canadian Regiment, a regiment of Royal Horse Artillery, and a regiment of Hussars left a remarkable aftermath of romance and marriage.

  Americans, too, have found many brides locally, and when the war is over most of these young women will be going away with their husbands.

  Rushden men in the Forces have made alliances which will bring “replacements” to the town, but these matches have clearly been outnumbered by those in which Rushden has supplied the bride.

  Though official figures are not given, it may be calculated that the number of applicants for Council houses is not more than 300, or is perhaps nearer 250.  It is known that men in the Forces are among the more recent applicants.

  The Council has room for 140 houses on its new Higham-road site, and 91 on the Newton-road “extension” site.  Roads will be laid on these sites by about the middle of next year.  On older sites 60 more Council houses can be placed.  Altogether, therefore, there is room for 291 houses on land already owned by the town.