ABSTRACT
Underlying the developments was the pivotal role of local authorities. They emerged in the 1920s as major providers because of wartime pressures, their success in tackling urban problems, and their links with government. They proved largely effective bulk-builders and they were generally popular with tenants throughout their history. The most significant change in housing away from the course of the last 100 years was the new direction of local authority landlords in the 1980s. They were emphasising to tenants their right to exact good quality services and giving tenants a say in how these were delivered, through the introduction of service agreements. Local authorities were collaborating with housing associations in a wide range of homelessness initiatives, no longer able to attempt a monopoly role. Nor did housing associations look likely to supplant local authorities, although their role had expanded and their pace of development had certainly overtaken local authorities.
