ABSTRACT
This chapter reports on an investigation of housing conditions in two Russian cities, intended to assist local policy makers develop viable housing policies in conditions of economic transition. A survey was designed to provide an assessment of two key aspects of housing policy namely, the potential for development of a private housing market and the demand for state financed social housing. The survey focused on residents’ housing needs and aspirations, their financial ability to pay for housing costs and the physical condition of their current housing. Before examining the survey results it is important to outline local authority housing policy within the broader housing reform context operating in Russia.
