The Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act 1944 launched a program of factory-built temporary homes, known as prefabs. Just over 150,000 were built. They were designed to last between 10 and 15 years.
Many lasted far longer. The Excalibur Estate in Catford, south London, was built in 1945 and 1946. In 2009, six of its houses were listed as historic buildings, and demolition of the estate was scheduled to begin in 2013. Prefab bungalows in Letchworth were still maintained and occupied in 2014.