Security of tenure in social housing in England

ROBINSON, David and WALSHAW, Aimee (2014). Security of tenure in social housing in England. Social Policy and Society, 13 (01), 1-12.

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Abstract

The Localism Act 2011 granted social landlords in England the right to award fixed-term (flexible) tenancies, thereby ending the right of new tenants to a secure tenancy. Reform was justified via reference to a revisionist critique of social housing, which accused security of tenure of promoting dependency, undercutting social mobility and preventing the effective operation of the sector as a welfare service. This article draws on empirical evidence from qualitative interviews with more than 140 social tenants to explore the legitimacy of these claims and consider the potential impact of ending security of tenure on the well-being of tenants. Analysis reveals security of tenure to be a source of stability that helps mediate the precariousness of life on low incomes. In conclusion, it is argued that policy should be looking to extend, rather than curtail, these benefits through an improved rental housing offer.

Item Type:	Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746413000183
Page Range:	1-12
Depositing User:	Sarah Ward
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2013 08:12
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2021 23:45
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7091

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