Studying at York
Housing Policy - SPY00001H
Module summary
Housing is fundamental to wellbeing and security, and confers on residents a range of economic, social and cultural benefits. Despite its importance, it is widely agreed that the UK housing market is broken and consequently housing has risen the political and public agenda. But how can we make sense of the current housing crisis and what should be done? What is the role of the state and markets in providing safe, secure and affordable housing? How can we organise national housing policy in a country with such significant spatial wealth and economic inequalities? Why are so many people homeless and what can policymakers do to address this? These are just some of the questions this module asks through an historical, social and policy exploration of housing in the UK.
Professional requirements
None
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
- To explore UK housing policy in-depth
- To provide a basic tool-kit of knowledge about the housing system
- To provide an understanding of the interaction between social policy, markets, and geography in the context of housing
Module learning outcomes
- To develop specialist knowledge of the structure and functioning of the contemporary UK housing system
- To critically engage with the historical, social and cultural foundations of UK housing policy
- To consolidate knowledge of key contemporary issues in housing policy and how these relate to the wider social policy agenda in different spatial markets
- To critique the various sources of evidence through which housing policy is contested and built
Module content
Indicative Module weekly summary (subject to scheduling amendment)
|
Wk2 |
Crisis what crisis!? Understanding the UK housing system |
Lecture, Practical and seminar |
|
Wk3 |
Who do we need to house? And how? |
Lecture, Practical and seminar |
|
Wk4 |
How do we make homes affordable? |
Lecture, Practical and seminar |
|
Wk5 |
Why place matters |
Lecture, Practical and seminar |
|
Wk6 |
Does it matter if people can’t afford to buy homes? |
Lecture, Practical and seminar |
|
Wk7 |
Can private renting take the strain? |
Lecture, Practical and seminar |
|
Wk8 |
Can social housing development achieve social policy goals? FIELD TRIP DERWENTHORPE YORK |
Lecture and Field Trip |
|
Wk9 |
Why are people homeless and what can be done? |
Lecture, Practical and seminar |
|
Wk10 |
How can we solve the housing crisis? Mock Select Committee |
Practical with all staff and students |
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 60 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 40 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Formative work takes place through the practical and seminar preparation work and discussion in seminars. Formative feedback by staff is provided on essay plans.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative written feedback will be provided to students on an essay plan submitted in week 7. Summative written feedback will be provided to students within the period for return of feedback detailed in departmental policy. Written feedback will be provided using the standard departmental undergraduate marking matrix.
Indicative reading
Davis, C. (2013) Finance for housing: an introduction. Bristol, Policy Press.
Lund, B. (2011) Understanding Housing Policy. Bristol, Policy Press.
Lowe, S. (2011) The Housing Debate, Bristol, The Policy Press.
Cowan, D. (2011) Housing Law and Policy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Bowie, D. (2017) Radical solutions to the housing supply crisis. Bristol, Policy Press.