ABSTRACT
If its lengthy antecedents are included, council housing just bridged three centuries as it passed the year 2000. For a number of years its end had been anticipated and at the time of writing is a more real prospect than ever before. If it does end, however, it will be in a certain sense only: that of ownership. The bulk of the buildings remain, and will remain for many years to come, providing homes for people as well as a sizeable part of Britain’s townscapes and built environment.
