EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Evaluation of English housing policy 1975-2000: supply, need and access

Evaluation of English housing policy 1975-2000: supply, need and access

Introduction

Assesses the policies of land supply for new housing through the planning system, planning agreements for affordable housing and homelessness legislation.

Description

This report:

focuses on the Beacon Policies of land supply for new housing through the planning system, planning agreements for affordable housing, and statutory homelessness legislation;
refers to shifts in the housing access system towards a dual emphasis on rights for the poor and variable market power for the rest of the population; and
suggests that there is a need for an 'intermediate market' of opportunities for a variety of groups, including students, mobile workers and households with relatively low incomes.

Background information

The evaluation was undertaken to examine the degree to which English Housing Policy during 1975–2000 has addressed issues of housing supply, housing need and access to housing. It is one of five reports which evaluate housing policy within this period.

Methodology

The methodology adopted is not defined within the report. However, the project examined the main areas relevant to housing supply, need and access by looking at policy scope, policy objectives, policy drivers and policy operation covering land supply, planning for affordable housing and statutory homelessness legislation as well as evaluating their impact.

Conclusions

This report:

concludes that the planning system has restricted the supply of land for new housing and that this restriction is becoming more severe;
states that local authorities have increasingly negotiated aspects of affordable housing provision, resulting in a significant amount of affordable housing;
notes that public sector housing supply up to the late 1970s was boosted by large scale public sector building but that this supply has reduced and has not been replaced by private sector provision;
notes that the system for housing access has shifted towards a dual emphasis on rights for the poor and variable market power for the rest of the population; and
suggests a need for an 'intermediate market' of opportunities for groups including young students, mobile workers and low income households.

Contact info

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Phone: +44 20 7944 4400
enquiryodpm@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

01/01/2005

Researcher

Glen Bramley et al

Links

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Department for Communities and Local Government)

Evaluation of English housing policy 1975-2000: supply, need and access (PDF, Eng, 472KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing policy

Keywords

Housing market