Update in March 2023: Ten years later, just in time for HSB's 100th anniversary in 2023, HSB's historical site has moved to HSB's own website. It has also been expanded with more material. HSB's history is now told directly at www.hsb.se/omhsb/om-oss/historia/
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The site hsb-historien.se, launched in May 2013, begins 90 years earlier. It was in 1923 that HSB's operations started, based on an innovative cooperative idea for better housing and influence over one's own housing situation. HSB was created during a time when living conditions for many people were really poor. The purpose was to build and manage housing on behalf of the members and to conduct savings bank operations. The idea of combining savings and building was also unique.
– Housing affects everyone and stirs emotions. By following HSB's history, we can also follow the modern history and development of Swedish society. We have worked from a rich and unique material in HSB's archives when we created this website, says Alexander Husebye, CEO of the Centre for Business History.
On the website, there are a series of articles, divided into three themes: Challengers in Housing Policy, For the Members’ Best Interest, and The People. You can also dive deep into hundreds of images and films in the archive.
Under the theme For the Members’ Best Interest, it is described, among other things, how HSB already from the 1920s ran a number of construction and housing-technical development projects to be able to create the good home. Amid some resistance, running hot and cold water became standard in HSB houses, as well as gradually bathrooms, laundry rooms, and modern kitchens.
– HSB has had a fantastic journey over the years. Since the first housing cooperative association was formed in Stockholm 90 years ago, HSB has built nearly half a million homes and participated in building the welfare state. This is an important part of Swedish history where we have contributed and now want to help showcase on the web, says Anders Lago, chairman of HSB National Federation.
When HSB was formed, it was mainly private companies that provided housing supply. The theme Challengers in Housing Policy shows how HSB has always strived to provide members with cheap and good housing.
Many interesting and influential people have been involved in HSB's activities over the years. Under the theme The People, there are, among other things, articles about politician Alva Myrdal and architect Sven Wallander.
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