What are the causes of the existing social housing crisis in the UK?

Background

The provision of a sufficient supply of affordable and appropriate housing has been reflected as a primary challenge encountered by regions such as the UK, especially coupled with the planning policies adopted to curb sprawl and poor living conditions in cities (Addison et al., 2013). Bratt et al. (2013) posited accessibility, availability, and affordability (3As) of housing to be an essential aspect of every person in a society. However, the 3As of housing influence the economic vitality, quality, and sustainability of emergent cities, by prompting where a person can secure housing. The conditions in which an individual grows, works, and lives significantly affect their well-being and health. Such conditions can either be social, economic, or political and are often collectively recognised as the social determinants of health (SDoH), which might infringe the rights of citizens. The main research question guiding this dissertation is “Do social housing policies promote social justice in the UK?”

The critical and fundamental roles played by housing in an individual’s life means that when the government fails to protect, respect, and safeguard this right, it raises vital questions regarding the aptitude of people to live and adequately contribute to societal development. A report by Braveman et al. (2011) revealed that healthy homes enhance good mental and physical wellbeing. For instance, those living in impoverished neighbourhoods with inadequate and poor housing occasionally experience health conditions such as chronic diseases. Overcrowding in substandard housing causes high rates of poverty and little resources for the promotion of health through recreational activities. Therefore, the right to adequate housing should push the government to safeguard its citizens by offering subsidised housing facilities. The Office for National Statistics (2022) revealed that the average prices of houses in the UK have significantly grown by 10% between October and November 2021 (£271,000) from 9.8%. The statistic is higher than that recorded in November of the previous year by £25,000. Such growth has been witnessed in major countries in the UK with Wales experiencing the highest margin of growth. UN-Habitat (2011) pointed out that various governments have started addressing the challenge of affordable housing by the assertion of social housing as a social right.

Rationale

Social justice issues are some of the challenges facing various governments, especially in the UK. However, maintaining social justice in contemporary society has become complex because it is instigated by a range of problems ranging from social, economic, and political factors (Soken-Huberty, 2021; Sloan, 2010; Khechen, 2013), which governments may have some control over through the implementation of sufficient socio-economic policies. Scholars have identified social housing policies as key drivers or inhibitors of social justice in developed and developing countries (Bratt et al., 2013; Hohmann, 2017; Jonkman and Jassen-Jansen, 2018).

Although the UK government has considered various drastic measures toward improving the level of social justice, evidence shows the absence of social justice in this society. According to HM Government (2012), nearly 3.9 million workless households exist in the UK while more than 1.8 million children live in these households. These developments have considerably reduced the government’s effort in providing services such as education and recreational amenities. Additionally, even if the government provides affordable and safe housing to these families they are likely to default rent payment. Shu and Lin (2019) affirm that exclusion of eligible citizens to government facilities and services is a major dynamic driving the ever-growing social injustice. In a similar view, HM Government (2012) demonstrated that children eligible (from impoverished households/neighbourhoods) to get food and subsidised education have a greater probability to get a permanent exclusion from school when compared to those ineligible. The exclusion of these kids from school alone has resulted in a huge gap between the rich and the poor. And this is the reason why it is important to examine the extent to which social housing policy in the UK has promoted social justice in various communities.

Significance of study findings

Given the complexity attributed to the understanding of housing policy and social justice in the UK over the years, single research cannot entirely bring a clear comprehension of the effect of the research problem on the economy of the UK. Therefore, this research study will examine issues of social justice resulting from land and housing policies. Additionally, the outcome of the study will provide crucial information, knowledge, and evidence of the factors promoting the implementation and adoption of UK housing policies that influence social justice concerns affecting major cities in the region. Finally, the findings of the study will be relevant to those who have an interest in issues of social justice and social housing in the UK.

Research questions (RQs)

1. What are the causes of the existing social housing crisis in the UK?

This research question is important because it will inspire the understanding of the issues and factors promoting the prevailing crises within the housing sector. These facets will also provide the understanding to enhance social justice in the UK.

1. Are the existing housing policies in the UK sufficient to address the current housing crises?

This RQ is vital for understanding whether the current policies are effective and suggesting better ways to address the loopholes and gaps in the prevailing policies to reduce accommodation crises.

• To what extent are social justice concerns influencing the UK housing policies?

This RQ is essential to examine whether social inequalities problems inspire the formulation of current and future policies as a means of improving the well-being of citizens from different socio-economic backgrounds.

Aim and Objectives

Aim: To investigate the extent to which the social housing policies enhance social justice

Objectives

1. To define social justice in the background of this study

In the context of this research, social justice was defined as providing assurance to a citizen of all levels of income regarding accessings table, safe, high-quality, and affordable housing facilities (The Praxis Project, 2020).The definition is based on the ability of one to have a reliable and dependable place to live.

2. To highlight how social housing policies can theoretically improve social justice
3. To assess the extent to which social housing policies in the UK contributed to social justice

Outline of the Thesis

The next chapter is the literature review, which searches concepts and ideas related to social justice, social housing, and social housing policy. The methodology chapter is the third chapter, which highlights a detailed description of techniques utilised to gather data. This is a qualitative study focusing on a critical examination of the relevant policies developed from the early 1980s to the early 2000s and articles published between 2015 and 2022. An inductive approach is employed to examine the prevailing policies and existing literature. Qualitative data (SH policies and views of leaders) is analysed using discourse analysis. Although this is a qualitative study focusing on secondary data, the research topic and procedures have gotten ethical approval from the University Ethics Committee.

The result chapter presents the findings from data gathered using secondary sources. The discussion chapter offers the outcomes by comparing them to the existing literature for further investigation. Finally, the conclusion and recommendations chapter presents a succinct description of the concepts and findings. Additionally, it provides advice on how to improve practice and policy in this area.