Social housing in England : testing the logics of reform

The role and function of social housing in England are being recast. A radical programme of reform is being pursued in response to the apparent failure of the sector to serve as an effective welfare service, promoting dependency rather than social mobility. This paper examines the underlying logics and considers some of the potential consequences of this reform agenda, through an exploration of the relationship between social housing and worklessness. Drawing on evidence from qualitative interviews with over 150 tenants, questions are raised regarding the veracity of the charge sheet levelled against social housing. Risks associated with on-going efforts to reconstitute the role and function of social housing in England are also highlighted. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence challenging the pathologising and problematising of social housing through the detailed analysis of the perspectives and experiences of social tenants.