Family Homelessness and Policy Responses:
Housing as a Need:
- Shelter is a basic human need in its own right.
- Also satisfies other needs: Creates a sense of security for people; Important for
community development and engagement; Important for social networks,
particularly for children; Important for physical and mental health.
- A home is an important part of our identity
- Essential for opening a bank account, applying for a job, applying for benefits etc.
- Satisfaction of housing is related to wellbeing.
Social Housing: Homes provided by local council or housing associations - cheaper to rent
than private market. Have to meet conditions such as low income and particular city. Apply
and put on list and wait until name is at top.
Private Rented Housing: Homes provided by individual landlords, private companies etc.
Mortgaged Housing: Housing owned by individuals via a loan from a bank or building
society.
Own Outright: Housing owned by individuals where there is no loan outstanding.
Policy Responses to Housing
Two Approaches:
- Social Democratic (1945-1970s)
- Based on principles of egalitarianism
- Housing is a need and citizens have a right to housing provided by the state.
- Main policy response: Building social housing.
- Neo Liberal (1980 - present)
- Based on the principles of free market economy
- The market is better at meeting housing needs
- Main policy response: The Housing Act (1980) - sell social housing and encourage
home ownership and private rents.
Housing Crisis in the UK:
- Home ownership is more unattainable - mortgage repayments higher, bank has to
know you earn enough, higher deposits
- High housing costs - gas and water costs
- Reduction in the availability of social housing - those on lower income lower on the
list. More demand for private rent, cost has gone up.
- More people renting in the private sector
- Rise in homelessness as a consequence
Housing as a Need:
- Shelter is a basic human need in its own right.
- Also satisfies other needs: Creates a sense of security for people; Important for
community development and engagement; Important for social networks,
particularly for children; Important for physical and mental health.
- A home is an important part of our identity
- Essential for opening a bank account, applying for a job, applying for benefits etc.
- Satisfaction of housing is related to wellbeing.
Social Housing: Homes provided by local council or housing associations - cheaper to rent
than private market. Have to meet conditions such as low income and particular city. Apply
and put on list and wait until name is at top.
Private Rented Housing: Homes provided by individual landlords, private companies etc.
Mortgaged Housing: Housing owned by individuals via a loan from a bank or building
society.
Own Outright: Housing owned by individuals where there is no loan outstanding.
Policy Responses to Housing
Two Approaches:
- Social Democratic (1945-1970s)
- Based on principles of egalitarianism
- Housing is a need and citizens have a right to housing provided by the state.
- Main policy response: Building social housing.
- Neo Liberal (1980 - present)
- Based on the principles of free market economy
- The market is better at meeting housing needs
- Main policy response: The Housing Act (1980) - sell social housing and encourage
home ownership and private rents.
Housing Crisis in the UK:
- Home ownership is more unattainable - mortgage repayments higher, bank has to
know you earn enough, higher deposits
- High housing costs - gas and water costs
- Reduction in the availability of social housing - those on lower income lower on the
list. More demand for private rent, cost has gone up.
- More people renting in the private sector
- Rise in homelessness as a consequence
