Deepening disadvantages in housing markets for women

Abstract

Housing policy in England and Wales has undergone a major shift in emphasis since the Coalition Government in the UK determined to use housing markets to resolve housing needs. In many locations social housing has become a ‘safety net tenure’ which is part of the developing welfare reform rather than tenure offering stability and opportunity. Price sensitivity is beginning to exclude those on lower incomes from the private rented sector. These changes prompted by the diminishing availability of social housing, unregulated private sector rentals, low pay and welfare reform impact disproportionately on women and the accompanying insecurity undermine the conditions necessary for widening employment options. There is a need to expose the gendered nature of housing policy as a matter of women’s human rights.