Affordability, Housing Markets and Private Renting

Overview

In this theme we address the big economic issues manifested in the housing market and the way these impact on social outcomes at national, regional and local levels. Booming housing markets created a trail of affordability problems, to be succeeded by Credit Crunch and recession which have compromised established means of financing and accessing housing. Policies to boost supply (following the Barker 2004 Review) have had disappointing outcomes and are now replaced by a radical experiment in decentralized planning in England. After nearly a century of decline private renting is the only tenure to display significant growth – how far does this offer solutions to housing need and affordability, or does it only complicate the situation?