Anwen Jones

Pursuing Social Justice or Social Cohesion?: Coercion in Street Homelessness Policies in England

This article contends that the New Labour governments current policies on street homelessness in England prioritise ‘social cohesion’ over ‘social justice’ objectives. While the government has implemented substantial improvements in services for street homeless people in recent years, and has achieved a significant reduction in the numbers sleeping rough, a strong ‘social control’ emphasis has now emerged in this policy agenda, as those remaining on the streets are increasingly viewed as an ‘anti-social behaviour’ problem. The article argues that coercive or forceful measures aimed at street homeless people cannot be justified from a social justice perspective, unless it can be demonstrated that they have a positive impact on the welfare of this marginalised group. The evidence presently available, although not definitive, indicates that such measures are more likely to undermine than promote the well-being of street homeless people.

Studying a Niche Market: UK Students and the Private Rented Sector

Renting privately is a minority tenure in the UK, but the sector is recognised as being essential to the smooth operation of the wider housing market. The need to target policy effectively has led to an increasing stress on the importance of understanding how local private rental markets operate. Using a number of local case study areas from throughout the country, this paper explores the nature of demand for private rented housing from students. This niche market is a substantial and growing feature of the private rented sector. The paper demonstrates that although student demand shares a number of common characteristics throughout the UK, its localised impacts can vary. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are required to gain an understanding of how student demand affects all aspects of the local housing market, and it is concluded that greater attention needs to be paid to exploring ways of understanding the dynamics of rental market development.

Inside qualitative, cross‐national research: making methods transparent in a EU housing study

Over the last decade there has been a significant growth in comparative, cross‐national research and recognition of its potential significance in responding to globalisation pressures. A range of methodological approaches have been documented. However, whilst a growing literature exists on undertaking comparative research generally, less has been published on the experiences of undertaking qualitative research in a cross‐national context, particularly in social and housing policy. Qualitative research provides opportunities to gain more detailed understandings of behaviour, attitudes and experiences across countries, but it also raises some of the greatest challenges with respect to interpreting data. This article utilises an eight nation study on housing security and insecurity to make transparent some of the key issues raised in qualitative, cross‐national work, including the selection of locations and interviewees, interviewing and analysing material within an institutional context. It argues that further critical sharing of research accounts is required in this important area.

Demographic Change and Retirement Planning: Comparing Households’ Views on the Role of Housing Equity in Germany and the UK

Abstract As states across Europe come under pressure to meet the needs of ageing populations, there has been increasing interest in the potential role of housing equity in funding welfare provision. This paper draws on the findings of a European study, Demographic Change and Housing Wealth (DEMHOW), which set out to explore whether housing plays a role in retirement planning. This paper compares the views of homeowners in Germany and the UK. The former is a country where homeownership is the minority tenure and the preserve of affluent households, and where house prices have been stagnant for years. The latter is a country of homeownership where half the poor are home owners, and where real house price increases over many decades have served to establish the belief that homeownership is one of the best investments accessible to ordinary people. In addition, ‘equity release’ is more common, and related products better developed, in the UK than in Germany. Given these differences, it might be assumed UK homeowners would be more willing to consider utilising housing equity to supplement their income in retirement than their German counterparts. This paper sets out to explore whether this is the case.

Homeless People: Ex-Prisoners in England and Wales

A third of prisoners lose their accommodation whilst in prison and many become homeless as a result. The same social disadvantages that mark the general homeless population are highly prevalent in the prisoner and ex-prisoner populations. For ex-prisoners, these disadvantages are compounded by a range of other problems that add to the challenge of finding appropriate, stable, and secure accommodation after release. Homelessness and poor housing also contribute to the likelihood of reoffending. The prevention of homelessness amongst ex-offenders has been a key element of government policy on reducing reoffending in recent years but it is increasingly recognised that meeting accommodation needs is only one element of a wider package of resettlement support required by ex-prisoners. This article focuses on the problem of homelessness amongst ex-prisoners in England and Wales, specifically, short-term prisoners, who constitute the majority of prisoners, and the policies and practices developed to address the problem.

Safe Moves: Piloting prevention services for young people at risk of homelessness

Youth homelessness has been recognised as a significant social problem since the late 1980s, and local authority homelessness strategies now include preventative services as a key area of development. However, youth homelessness prevention services are a relatively recent innovation in the UK, and there is only a small literature on their effectiveness. Safe Moves, developed by the Foyer Federation and Connexions during 2002‐2004, represents the first national youth prevention model and offers young people support with life skills, peer mentoring and family mediation. An independent evaluation by the Centre for Housing Policy, University of York concluded that Safe Moves was preventing homelessness for some young people, although the challenges of establishing projects in a predominantly crisis‐orientated culture were significant.

The Shelter Inclusion Project: Piloting a new approach to addressing anti‐social behaviour

Anti‐social behaviour remains high on local and national policy agendas, and is a major area of concern for policy makers, local authorities, housing providers and communities. The Shelter Inclusion Project was set up in Rochdale in 2002 to develop an innovative model of floating support for households that are having difficulty complying with their tenancy agreements because of reported anti‐social behaviour, or who are homeless as a result. The three‐year pilot project (October 2002 to October 2005) is being evaluated by the Centre for Housing Policy, University of York. Interim findings (at September 2004) suggest that the project has made a positive impact on addressing anti‐social behaviour for its service users; most people are still in their same tenancy and anti‐social behaviour actions have ceased for those leaving the service.