Why where the tenement apartments crowded?

Tenement apartments were crowded primarily due to rapid urbanization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as millions of immigrants moved to cities in search of jobs and better opportunities. The influx of people led to a high demand for affordable housing, resulting in multiple families often sharing small, cramped living spaces. Additionally, inadequate housing regulations allowed landlords to maximize profits by cramming as many tenants as possible into limited space, exacerbating overcrowding and poor living conditions.