Contemporary Housing Issues in a Globalized World

’This timely volume links contributions addressing the housing crisis in key European jurisdictions, with major issues in housing worldwide. On its own, each contribution adds welcome depth to our understanding; as a whole the volume strikingly illustrates the connections among legal frameworks, financial policy, and social pressures on the availability and security of housing across the world.’ Jessie Hohmann, Queen Mary University of London, UK ’This book presents a timely, comprehensive and incisive analysis of the impact of globalization and the recent financial crisis on the domestic housing policies and capacities of nation states. In the best traditions of socio-legal scholarship, it blends doctrinal analysis with empirical evidence and sophisticated policy recommendations to offer constructive guidance for legislators as they confront the challenge of housing disadvantage.’ Brendan Edgeworth, University of New South Wales, Australia ’The deregulation, liberalization and internationalization of finance have had major implications for housing and urban developments throughout the world. The financialization of housing has been accompanied by the conceptual transformation of adequate housing from a social good into a commodity and financial asset and housing markets are increasingly regulated so as to promote financial rather than social aspects of housing. This book analyses how this process has impacted on violations of the right to adequate housing in different countries and regions. More than understanding the situation, the book offers alternatives and perspectives, crucial in the current housing crisis.’ Raquel Rolnik, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing and University of Sao Paolo, Brazil