Which development contributed to the suburban housing boom in the 1950s?

Which development contributed to the suburban housing boom in the 1950s?

• A. Low-interest home loans for veterans
• B. Urban renewal subsidies
• C. Growth of apartments in cities
• D. Federal highway construction

Answer: (D)

Federal highway construction reshaped where people could live by making car travel quick, safe, and affordable across greater distances. The new interstate system, funded in the mid-1950s, connected suburbs to city jobs, schools, and shopping, so families could move out of crowded urban centers without losing easy access to work. Developers followed these roadways, building vast subdivisions along corridors and encouraging the spread of housing beyond city limits. This transportation network created the practical possibility and economic incentive for a nationwide suburban housing boom.

The other options helped housing in various ways, but highways directly expanded the geographic reach of suburbs and made long commutes feasible, which is why highway construction is the standout factor here.