The difference that tenure makes

Abstract

This paper argues that housing tenures cannot be reduced to either production relations or consumption relations. Instead, they need to be understood as modes of housing distribution, and as having complex and dynamic relations with social classes. Building on a critique of both the productionist and the consumptionist literature, as well as of formalist accounts of the relations between tenure and class, the paper attempts to lay the foundations for a new theory of housing tenure. In order to do this, a new theory of class is articulated, which is then used to throw new light on the nature of class-tenure relations.

Homelessness Policy in Britain

“…From the 1950s onwards, the character of council housing gradually began to change, from a tenure for middle-income groups (Report of Enquiry into Household Expenditure 1953-4, Tables 40-44) to a tenure of last resort, that is for those who, by reason of low income, age, or household type, are excluded from owner-occupation (Malpass, 1983). The causes of this changing character have been explored elsewhere (Forrest and M urie, 1983, Somerville and Knowles, 1991. One important effect of it.…”

Housing policy implementation: The role of mediation

“…Indeed, along with certain control relations (in particular, arising out of the private ownership of property), it is characteristic contractual arrangements and state regulation of households which actually define a housing tenure (Somerville and Knowles, 1991). The unregulated dimension of landlordtenant relations, however, is also very important, and this involves mainly personal interactions, between individual tenants or tenants' representatives and housing officers or landlord representatives.…”

Home Ownership for Low Income Families: Key Findings from the Five Year Victorian Capital Indexed Loan Evaluation Study

“…In more recent years, it has also become the focus for analysis and debate in Britain and Europe (Saunders, 1990;Saunders and Williams, 1988;Karn, Kemeny, and Williams, 1985;Murie, 1988.1990;Murie, 1991;Somerville and Knowles, 1991). In Britain, the impetus for much of the writing came from the sale of Council housing stock under the Thatcher Government and its implications both for the well-being of potential owners and for broader social and economic relations.…”