Final answer:
The word that best describes low-cost, densely populated housing is 'Cramped'. These conditions were characteristic of tenements and slums in urban areas where sanitation and living space were severely lacking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that best describes low-cost, densely populated housing is 'C) Cramped'. Such housing conditions were common in urban areas where poor workers and immigrants struggled to find affordable accommodation. Tenements, often mentioned in historical texts, are typical examples of such housing. They were characterized by limited living space, poor sanitation, and high occupancy rates, which facilitated the rapid spread of diseases.
These challenging living situations also led to the development of slums, areas with extensive poverty and substandard living conditions. Issues like lack of fire protection, insufficient indoor plumbing, and shared facilities exacerbated the daily lives of residents. Additionally, factors such as rapid urbanization and industrialization contributed to the housing crisis, prompting the creation of densely packed environments for the lower-income population.
The historical context behind these housing conditions reflects the social and economic challenges faced by the urban poor, particularly immigrants and workers in the cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While developers like William Levitt provided solutions like mass-produced homes in the suburbs, many working-class families continued to live in congested urban dwellings.