Home > Research > Publications & Outputs > The problem with social housing

Research

Associated organisational unit

Links

Text available via DOI:

View graph of relations

The problem with social housing: discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Published

Standard

The problem with social housing: discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal. / Smith, Susan J.; Mallinson, Sara.
In: Policy and Politics, Vol. 24, No. 4, 09.1996, p. 339-357.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Harvard

Smith, SJ & Mallinson, S 1996, 'The problem with social housing: discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal', Policy and Politics, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 339-357. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557396782148372

APA

Smith, S. J., & Mallinson, S. (1996). The problem with social housing: discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal. Policy and Politics, 24(4), 339-357. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557396782148372

Vancouver

Smith SJ, Mallinson S. The problem with social housing: discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal. Policy and Politics. 1996 Sept;24(4):339-357. doi: 10.1332/030557396782148372

Author

Smith, Susan J. ; Mallinson, Sara. / The problem with social housing : discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal. In: Policy and Politics. 1996 ; Vol. 24, No. 4. pp. 339-357.

Bibtex

@article{26f33643f9fd4b05a15d336de86f37e1,
title = "The problem with social housing: discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal",
abstract = "Research on the practical problems of allocating homes according to need has recently been eclipsed by heated debate on the privatisation of public housing. In the wake of the British government's new commitment to the idea of state-subsidised accommodation, this paper reconsiders the problem of discretion in effecting welfare transfers. It explores how nine local authority housing departments process applications from people with health problems and mobility needs. We argue, contrary to the prevailing wisdom, that discretion is inevitable, necessary and often desirable when assessing housing needs and matching needy applicants to homes. Neither total market freedom nor complete bureaucratic constraint seem likely to solve the problem with social housing. However, an approach balancing unavoidable discretion with rigorous accountability might be a fruitful way forward. ",
author = "Smith, {Susan J.} and Sara Mallinson",
year = "1996",
month = sep,
doi = "10.1332/030557396782148372",
language = "English",
volume = "24",
pages = "339--357",
journal = "Policy and Politics",
issn = "0305-5736",
publisher = "Policy Press",
number = "4",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The problem with social housing

T2 - discretion, accountability and the welfare ideal

AU - Smith, Susan J.

AU - Mallinson, Sara

PY - 1996/9

Y1 - 1996/9

N2 - Research on the practical problems of allocating homes according to need has recently been eclipsed by heated debate on the privatisation of public housing. In the wake of the British government's new commitment to the idea of state-subsidised accommodation, this paper reconsiders the problem of discretion in effecting welfare transfers. It explores how nine local authority housing departments process applications from people with health problems and mobility needs. We argue, contrary to the prevailing wisdom, that discretion is inevitable, necessary and often desirable when assessing housing needs and matching needy applicants to homes. Neither total market freedom nor complete bureaucratic constraint seem likely to solve the problem with social housing. However, an approach balancing unavoidable discretion with rigorous accountability might be a fruitful way forward.

AB - Research on the practical problems of allocating homes according to need has recently been eclipsed by heated debate on the privatisation of public housing. In the wake of the British government's new commitment to the idea of state-subsidised accommodation, this paper reconsiders the problem of discretion in effecting welfare transfers. It explores how nine local authority housing departments process applications from people with health problems and mobility needs. We argue, contrary to the prevailing wisdom, that discretion is inevitable, necessary and often desirable when assessing housing needs and matching needy applicants to homes. Neither total market freedom nor complete bureaucratic constraint seem likely to solve the problem with social housing. However, an approach balancing unavoidable discretion with rigorous accountability might be a fruitful way forward.

U2 - 10.1332/030557396782148372

DO - 10.1332/030557396782148372

M3 - Journal article

VL - 24

SP - 339

EP - 357

JO - Policy and Politics

JF - Policy and Politics

SN - 0305-5736

IS - 4

ER -