Inequality street

This note identifies three reasons why housing has risen up the public and political priority list in recent decades. First, low home ownership, particularly among young adults, has produced significant discontent among younger generations. Second, higher levels of housing costs have pushed down on household living standards. Third, and more recently, while cuts to housing benefit have hit those renting on lower incomes, low interest rates have benefitted higher-income mortgagors, increasing overall inequality in the process. We offer five policy approaches by way of recommendations – in a timely fashion for those writing manifestos – that if implemented, would help address the deep seated issues that lie at the core of the public’s housing concerns.