Originally published between 1961 and 1994, the volumes in this set sit equally comfortably in sociology and geography as well as housing studies. Even though they were published some years ago, their content continues to offer critical engagement with an evolving policy agenda which is even more important in a time of crisis and deeper polarization both nationally and globally as a result of the pandemic. They: Provide a comprehensive political-economic analysis of the historical origins and 20th Century experience of 19th and 20th Century housing tenure in the UK, France, Germany, the former USSR, Israel, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Puerto Rico and the USA. Discuss landlord-tenant relations and the neglect of particular disadvantaged groups such as the elderly, the single homeless and those in low income groups Examine the balance between rehabilitation and redevelopment and the rise and fall of the high-rise flat Cover issues such as rent, rent controls, subsidies and urban renewal Look at the implications of selling council houses and evaluate the impact of the growth of home ownership in the UK Address the practical and political difficulties of devising measures which meet policy objectives.

Originally published in 1978, this book analyses three main approaches to national housing policy in the 20th Century in Sweden, the UK and USA. It reviews policy developments and considers the impact of policy on the housing conditions and costs of different sections of the community. A major theme is that British and American governments, contrary to their stated objectives, have actually increased housing inequality by allowing homeowners tax concessions which are more generous than the housing welfare programmes available to tenants. The political pressures which produced this outcome in Britain and the USA, but a quite different and more egalitarian outcome in Sweden, are carefully discussed. Throughout the book, policy making is regarded as involving trade-offs between what is politically feasible and what is operationally feasible. This framework enables readers to view policy making from the perspective of politicians and civil servants as they react to diverse demands and pressures and seek to devise housing programmes which embody incentives to which housing financiers builders and consumers will respond.

In this balances reappraisal of the social programs of the last decade, the authors find much that it positive. They respond to the popular arguments that question the results of government intervention and the need to correct social and economic ills.