In a series of broadcasts for Swedish radio in 1938, the journalist Ludvig “Lubbe” Nordström made his claim to fame with the reports on “Lort-Sverige” (Filthy-Sweden”). In the series that also became a book, Lubbe visited homes that were overcrowded and dirty. At this time, Sweden’s housing was among the worst in Europe. Many dwellings were draughty and damp, crowded and cold.

The radio series caused a debate about the quality of housing in Sweden. Connections were made about the poor state of the homes and the mental state of the residents. Reforms took place, as well as state-initiated courses to teach Swedes a better way of living to create healthier citizens. 

The goal was to establish Folkhemmet (“the people’s home”), a concept that became important to the Swedish Social Democratic Party and the Swedish welfare state. 

Folkhemmet should be the ideal state, between capitalism and socialism. The entire society living like a family, where everybody contributes, and everybody looks after one another. 

The Swedish Social Democrats’ successes in the postwar period is often explained by the fact that the party managed to motivate major social reforms with the idea of the Folkhemmet and the national family’s joint endeavour.
An often-used metaphor for Folkhemmet is the little red cottage. The cottage may not be for rich people, but the inhabitants are decent, clean, honest and care for one another.

Similar thoughts have existed – and exist – in many other parts of Europe. During the 20th century, the continent was torn apart by two world wars, but it also saw a number of social reforms. During the period 1960 to 1970 the Swedish social democrat government built 1 million housing units for a population of then 9 million inhabitants. The focus on improved social housing in the postwar period was echoed throughout Europe where many new towns and satellite towns were built for working people.