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Security of Tenure in Social Housing in England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2013

David Robinson  and
Aimee Walshaw
David Robinson
Affiliation:
Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University E-mail: d.robinson@shu.ac.uk
Aimee Walshaw
Affiliation:
Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University E-mail: a.walshaw@shu.ac.uk
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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.

Keywords

Social housingsecurity of tenureLocalism ActEngland
Type
Articles
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 1 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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