Policy Press

Finance for Housing

An Introduction

By Cathy Davis

Published

Jul 17, 2013

Page count

328 pages

ISBN

978-1447306481

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 17, 2013

Page count

328 pages

ISBN

978-1447306498

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 17, 2013

Page count

328 pages

ISBN

978-1447306504

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 17, 2013

Page count

328 pages

ISBN

978-1447312307

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Finance for Housing

The global financial crisis of 2007-08 was triggered by sub-prime mortgage mis-selling in the US and the global sale of these debts as new bonds.

Austerity programmes are designed to reduce the borrowing that governments undertook to stabilise failing banking systems but the UK's Coalition government is using 'austerity' as a cover to dismantle the welfare state. Housing is at the forefront of these changes. Mortgages and rental costs are rising as 'the market' dictates them, while people with low incomes now receive substantially less financial help from the welfare state.

In this much-needed text by an experienced author with a policy background, current housing finance issues (and their history) are linked with broader social policy and political themes. It covers the finance of building and refurbishment, managing and maintaining property for all the different tenures (owner occupation, council housing, housing association and private renting), and discusses whether current arrangements are sustainable. Written for housing, social policy and politics students and staff, it is also accessible to anyone concerned about housing in Britain today.

Dr Cathy Davis is a freelance writer and housing and social policy researcher. Her career has spanned academia and all aspects of housing practice. Most recently, she has been a housing academic at the University of Salford (2003-12). Previously she worked for the National Housing Federation in their Yorkshire and Humber office (1986-96) representing housing associations. She is a qualified housing manager and former CAB specialist housing advisor.

Part One: Overview;

Political choices and housing finance;

The global financial crisis and the UK government’s role;

Part Two: Tenure;

Local authority general housing services and building work;

Owner-occupation;

The changing fortunes of council housing;

Housing associations;

The private rented sector;

Part Three: Issues with housing costs;

‘Marginal’ owner occupation;

A variety of rents;

Paying for housing with help from housing benefits;

Part Four: Discussion;

Is our housing system sustainable?.