Find Number of Houses

John lives in a house on a straight street. For years, there have been 16 houses on his street to the right of his house and 17 houses on his street to the left of his house. Last year, 5 new houses were built on the same street even further to the left of those houses to the left of John's house. If these are the only houses on this street, how many houses are on this street?

Seeking a set up or hints.

 

....................................<---------John---------->................
...........add what is left.................1............. add what is right..
then add all together

 

I don't get it.

 

John lives in a house on a straight street.=> 1 house
For years, there have been 16 houses on his street to the right of his house=>16
and 17 houses on his street to the left of his house=>17
Last year, 5 new houses were built on the same street even further to the left of those houses to the left of John's house=>5

....................................<---left------John-----right----->................
..................5+17..............................1............. 16..
then add all together: 5+17+1+16=39 houses are on this street

 

I feel silly. It's just adding houses. This problem is poorly worded.