ABSTRACT
The Conservative Government has entered the 1990s with a relatively coherent overall view of the way it wishes to see the British housing system develop (Monk and Kleinman, 1989). This view reflects both the neo-liberal orientation of the Government in theory, and its centralising tendencies in practice. As spelt out in the 1987 Housing White Paper, and subsequent legislation (1988 Housing Act and 1989 Local Government and Housing Act), this view comprises the following elements:
continued support for owner occupation to enable an even greater percentage of households than currently (65%) to become home owners.
the development of the so-called independent rented sector, comprising profit-seeking private landlords and non-profit-making, but commercially minded, housing associations, as the main vehicle for meeting additional demand for rental units.
a major change in the role of local authorities from being direct providers of housing to enablers of housing provision.
support for existing council tenants who wish to ‘opt out’ of the local authority sector and have a different landlord acquire their estate. Alongside this, council rents will be brought more into line with market rents.
the principle that, as the major benefit from housing improvement and renewal above a minimum standard goes to the private owner, the costs should similarly fall to the owner-occupier and not the tax payer.
