ABSTRACT
First, and of increasing importance, there are rights to personal subsidies to assist with the payment of housing costs. Second, there are protections against exploitation and eviction of residential occupiers. Third, there are protections against unsatisfactory housing conditions. Fourth, there are protections against homelessness. This chapter will consider each type of provision in turn. It will become clear, however, that even the protection afforded to homeless persons falls short of guaranteeing an unconditional right to housing. The present government has declared that its aim is 'to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home' (DETR 2000: 7), but to have an opportunity is not quite the same as having a right.
