Analyzing Social Class Influence on Housing Accessibility in London
The intricate relationship between social class and housing accessibility in London is a pressing
issue that reflects broader societal inequalities. Historical context reveals that housing
inequality has deep roots, shaped by policies and socio-economic transformations over
decades. The concept of "housing class," as articulated by Rex and Moore (1967), posits
that individuals' access to housing can delineate distinct social classes, independent of
traditional economic classifications (Ruonavaara, 2024). This perspective is crucial for
understanding how historical injustices have perpetuated disparities in housing access
across different socio-economic groups in contemporary London. Furthermore, the
impact of policy on these class-based disparities cannot be overstated. As noted by
Hamnett (2003), gentrification processes have significantly altered the urban landscape,
often displacing lower-income residents while benefiting wealthier newcomers. Policies
aimed at urban renewal frequently neglect the needs of marginalized communities,
exacerbating existing inequalities (Atkinson, 2004).
Gentrification in London presents a complex interplay between social class, income inequality,
and housing accessibility, reflecting broader urban socio-economic transformations. As
Fenton (2001–2013) notes, gentrification has contributed to a spatial redistribution of
poverty within London’s neighborhoods, often resulting in the displacement of lower-
income residents as wealthier populations move into formerly affordable areas. This
process exacerbates income disparities and restricts housing options for marginalized
social classes. The rising property values driven by gentrification not only increase the
cost of homeownership but also elevate rental prices, effectively excluding economically
The intricate relationship between social class and housing accessibility in London is a pressing
issue that reflects broader societal inequalities. Historical context reveals that housing
inequality has deep roots, shaped by policies and socio-economic transformations over
decades. The concept of "housing class," as articulated by Rex and Moore (1967), posits
that individuals' access to housing can delineate distinct social classes, independent of
traditional economic classifications (Ruonavaara, 2024). This perspective is crucial for
understanding how historical injustices have perpetuated disparities in housing access
across different socio-economic groups in contemporary London. Furthermore, the
impact of policy on these class-based disparities cannot be overstated. As noted by
Hamnett (2003), gentrification processes have significantly altered the urban landscape,
often displacing lower-income residents while benefiting wealthier newcomers. Policies
aimed at urban renewal frequently neglect the needs of marginalized communities,
exacerbating existing inequalities (Atkinson, 2004).
Gentrification in London presents a complex interplay between social class, income inequality,
and housing accessibility, reflecting broader urban socio-economic transformations. As
Fenton (2001–2013) notes, gentrification has contributed to a spatial redistribution of
poverty within London’s neighborhoods, often resulting in the displacement of lower-
income residents as wealthier populations move into formerly affordable areas. This
process exacerbates income disparities and restricts housing options for marginalized
social classes. The rising property values driven by gentrification not only increase the
cost of homeownership but also elevate rental prices, effectively excluding economically
