Housing and the Welfare State

'This book has both life and authority. Its life stems from its articulation of an interesting and important argument regarding the relationship between housing policy and the rest of what we have perhaps too easily termed the 'welfare state' in Britain. Its authority derives not only from a critical assessment of existing literature, but also from Peter Malpass's tenacity in digging deeper into primary sources in the public records office... Certainly this will be a valuable and readable resouce for students and teachers.' - Professor Rob Furbey, Roof

This new analysis of housing policy in Britain since 1945 challenges conventional notions of the relationship between housing and the welfare state. However, in more recent years housing has been at the forefront of changes that have drawn it closer to other welfare state services, and the modernisation of public services is continuing the trend.This new analysis of housing policy in Britain since 1945 challenges conventional notions of the relationship between housing and the welfare state. It argues that housing policy in the years after the Second World War is better understood in terms of market restructuring. However, in more recent years housing has been at the forefront of changes that have drawn it closer to other welfare state services, and the modernisation of public services is continuing the trend.