Describe how housing policy perpetuates social exclusion.

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 Describe how housing policy perpetuates social exclusion

Social exclusion is defined as ‘ a shorthand term for what can happen when people or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low income, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health, poverty and family breakdown’ (SEU 1999). It is a key part in the Labour government’s terminology in which they aim to tackle the problem of social exclusion by increasing social inclusion. The role of housing if often closely linked when discussing social exclusion and Somerville defined this role as‘ Social exclusion through housing happens if the effect of housing processes is to deny certain social groups control over their daily lives, or to impair enjoyment of wider citizenship rights’.

Housing policy has always had a broader remit than just that of meeting social needs. (Clapham,D – Housing and Social Policy). The policy is also related to state intervention, which occurs through in-kind provision, subsidies and regulation of the market. It is important as it provides a sense of welfare and security by meeting the basic needs of an individual; a roof over your head is a primary need. It also generates community cohesion and a good housing policy would foster community cohesion and happiness. There is also economic importance in which a private house is a person’s most significant personal asset. There are many issues within the housing policy; it is estimated that there is a £20 billion repairs backlog in the social housing sector with 1.6 million (38% of stock) below decent standards. There is also a further 1.6 million in the private sector in a similarly poor condition. In addition to this, it is estimated that over the next 20 years, 4.3 million new homes will be needed which raises some questions including ‘where will they be built’? And ‘how may will be “affordable” homes’?

 Housing is one of the scarce resources, which determine the general quality of life, and its uneven distribution is an important aspect in the inequality of Britain today (Morris, Housing and social inequality). Housing is central to a wide range of social issues and problems; including benefit traps, affordability of housing and the issue that poor housing has strong links with poor health. Initially, in the 1970s there were pressures to confine council residual role. Owner occupation was still increasing which meant cutting back on council housing and encouraging the better off council tenants and potential clients to decline instead. There was also a long-term decline of private renting resulting in the poorer people having to turn to council housing. (Birchall,J – Housing policy in the 1990s)

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 The state support of housing has shifted over the last century due to the restructuring of the housing policy post 1979. The building of council houses was subsidised showing a growth in the state provision of housing in the first ¾ of the century. The last ¼ and up to the present day, has seen the increase of public subsidy being financed by the private sector. Social exclusion occurred as a result of this housing policy due to these changes in housing subsidies over the last decade, which has been an important aspect in the government’s privatisation strategy. The end ...

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