Shalercrest - A Defense Housing Project

This book was written to ensure that the federal government housing experiment during the second world war period serves as a valuable resource for present and future generations. This research describes the local history of the development of Shalercrest, a significant Shaler Township, Pa. neighborhood. It describes the transformation of the Shalercrest Defense Housing Project from the government owned and managed project to a private ownership co-op by its residents.

This account also reflects the lifestyle in the many government sponsored Defense Housing Projects throughout the country during the 1940s and 1950s post second World War era. These families dedicated their service to the World War II effort by working in the critical defense related industries in the Pittsburgh area.

This housing arrangement was the model for many defense housing projects throughout the United States during the period of the war.