Four Strategic pragmatism? The state of British housing policy
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Mark Stephens
Abstract
This chapter argues that Labour lacks a coherent strategy in relation to housing policy, and that government policy in relation to social housing, home ownership and homelessness is marked by a degree of contradiction and incoherence. It notes that in social housing, as in other areas of social welfare, the role of the local authority has become that of strategic management rather than provision. It further notes that the choice agenda has been pursued through piloting of reform to Housing Benefit, in the form of the Local Housing allowance, which offers a standard payment fixed according to family circumstance and local rents. The chapter explains that the idea is that this offers claimants a ‘choice’ in terms of the quality and quantity of housing they consume (although, in practice, little choice about the provider).
Abstract
This chapter argues that Labour lacks a coherent strategy in relation to housing policy, and that government policy in relation to social housing, home ownership and homelessness is marked by a degree of contradiction and incoherence. It notes that in social housing, as in other areas of social welfare, the role of the local authority has become that of strategic management rather than provision. It further notes that the choice agenda has been pursued through piloting of reform to Housing Benefit, in the form of the Local Housing allowance, which offers a standard payment fixed according to family circumstance and local rents. The chapter explains that the idea is that this offers claimants a ‘choice’ in terms of the quality and quantity of housing they consume (although, in practice, little choice about the provider).
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables v
- List of contributors vi
- Introduction 1
-
Key areas of social policy
- Personal social services: developments in adult social care 15
- Creating a patient-led NHS: empowering ‘consumers’ or shrinking the state? 33
- A ‘pivotal moment’? Education policy in England, 2005 49
- Strategic pragmatism? The state of British housing policy 65
- Social security policies in 2005 83
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Health and well-being
- More than a matter of choice? Consumerism and the modernisation of health care 101
- Being well and well-being: the value of community and professional concepts in understanding positive health 121
- Happiness and social policy: barking up the right tree in the wrong neck of the woods 145
- Using health and subjective wellbeing for quality of life measurement: a review 165
- Community well-being strategy and the legacies of new institutionalism and New Public Management in third way New Zealand 193
-
Ageing and employment
- Extending working life: problems and prospects for social and public policy 221
- Age discrimination in history 249
- Training and learning in the workplace: can we legislate against age discriminatory practices? 269
- Ageing and employment: looking back, looking forward 293
- Index 313
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables v
- List of contributors vi
- Introduction 1
-
Key areas of social policy
- Personal social services: developments in adult social care 15
- Creating a patient-led NHS: empowering ‘consumers’ or shrinking the state? 33
- A ‘pivotal moment’? Education policy in England, 2005 49
- Strategic pragmatism? The state of British housing policy 65
- Social security policies in 2005 83
-
Health and well-being
- More than a matter of choice? Consumerism and the modernisation of health care 101
- Being well and well-being: the value of community and professional concepts in understanding positive health 121
- Happiness and social policy: barking up the right tree in the wrong neck of the woods 145
- Using health and subjective wellbeing for quality of life measurement: a review 165
- Community well-being strategy and the legacies of new institutionalism and New Public Management in third way New Zealand 193
-
Ageing and employment
- Extending working life: problems and prospects for social and public policy 221
- Age discrimination in history 249
- Training and learning in the workplace: can we legislate against age discriminatory practices? 269
- Ageing and employment: looking back, looking forward 293
- Index 313
