The Seven Streets (De Zeven Straatjes) owe their fame to their simplicity. In 1852, the Catholic Poverty Organisation began building hundreds of simple houses. Although the houses were strictly meant for Roman Catholic families with many children that were dependent on charity. The city’s population density in those years was high and there was a realistic fear of a breakout of contagious diseases such as cholera. So it didn't come as a surprise that the government started making demands for the building of houses. The houses on the Seven Streets did not have their own toilets, nor did they have kitchens; nevertheless, they were incredibly modern for those times. The Korte Rozendaal, Lange Rozendaal, Kockstraat, Brouwerstraat, Boogstraat, Moutstraat, Suikerstraat and Fockstraat all managed to retain their working class neighbourhood characteristics.