Before us stands the Primer Barrio Obrero de El Hogar Obrero Cooperativa Limitada. It is a testament to a time of social change. This unique neighborhood reflects Argentina’s transformation into a modern nation.
El Hogar Obrero was founded in 1905. Socialists Juan B. Justo and Nicolás Repetto spearheaded it. They sought to address the housing crisis. Argentina was growing rapidly. Massive European immigration fueled urban development. The construction of railroads and ports boomed. Housing became a pressing issue. Justo noted the stark living conditions faced by workers. Overcrowding and lack of basic amenities were common.
El Hogar Obrero aimed to capture popular savings. The goal was to build homes. They also offered individual credits to members. The cooperative differed from self-help construction groups. It operated as an economic enterprise. Shares in El Hogar Obrero could be paid in full or in installments. Members could transfer shares or withdraw their capital.
Initially El Hogar Obrero lacked its own offices. The Círculo Artístico de Buenos Aires provided a room. This was on Talcahuano Street. Nineteen people gathered for the first assembly. Nicolás Repetto presided with Ángel J. Hermida as secretary.
No specific laws governed cooperatives then. El Hogar Obrero’s founders emulated foreign models. They looked to building societies in the United States. The cooperative followed the model of a building cooperative in Dayton, Ohio.
At the first assembly members subscribed to 367 shares. Each share had a nominal value of 300 pesos. They paid an initial fee of 50 cents per share. A board of directors was appointed. Doctor Justo became the president.
Within weeks the number of associates rose to 203. The capital reached $7194.33. El Hogar Obrero faced an early obstacle. A proposed law threatened high taxes on cooperatives. This could have dissolved the company. The cooperative decided to continue despite this challenge.
In 1910 El Hogar Obrero acquired land near the Ramos Mejía train station. Within a year they built a working-class neighborhood. It had 21 two-story houses. These were designed in the English cottage style. Each house featured a front and back garden. This design improved ventilation compared to traditional layouts. The ground floor had a dining room, kitchen and bathroom. Two bedrooms were upstairs.
Juan B. Justo and Enrique Dickmann inaugurated the barrio in 1911. Justo praised the revolutionary design. However he regretted some compromises. The suburban location and need for affordable housing limited comfort and aesthetics. Dickmann highlighted El Hogar Obrero’s work. It was a cooperative translating ideals into reality.
All houses were assigned within days. The first ten houses averaged 4805 pesos each. The other eleven averaged 4240 pesos. The total operation generated 94690 pesos. Land purchase and construction cost 87512 pesos. Houses were initially offered for rent with an option to buy. Occupants had to deposit 10% of the house’s value. Later the system changed. Occupants had to deposit three months’ rent. Many occupants left within a few years. They withdrew their capital. The cooperative received depreciated houses. Eventually all houses were sold.
The Primer Barrio Obrero stands as a reminder. It shows the power of collective effort. El Hogar Obrero sought to provide affordable housing. It aimed to improve workers’ lives. The cooperative’s innovative approach left a lasting mark. It shaped the urban landscape of Buenos Aires. The Primer Barrio Obrero remains a symbol. It represents social progress and community development.