A critical review of social housing commodification in England

Abstract

Social housing in the UK and England has slowly been replaced by affordable housing as part of a general trend towards its hyper-commodification in England. However, social housing and affordable housing serve different purposes and different socioeconomic groups. By tracing the context, emergence, and trajectory of these terms, this article reveals a wider paradigm shift in housing provision from the welfare state towards market-based solutions. This article employs a literature review methodology to trace the history of social housing from the Industrial Revolution until the mid-1970s, and the subsequent emergence of affordable housing in the UK, particularly England. Affordable housing is then introduced and defined before following both housing trajectories in the context of housing commodification. The findings highlight key historical moments that have shaped the UK, particularly England’s, response to the housing crisis through social housing and affordable housing, alongside corresponding impact on socioeconomic groups. The analysis reveals how deregulation, financialisation, and globalization have transformed housing from a functional dwelling space with social and environmental use value into an asset for capital accumulation and exchange value. Today, housing—in its material, social, and legal functions—has been hyper-commodified. Establishing the emergence of affordable housing and its relationship to social housing in England is crucial for policymakers, housing providers, and researchers to understand and address the unique user needs, challenges, and opportunities of socioeconomic groups. This fosters a more equitable and inclusive housing system by considering all socioeconomic groups in the design and policies of social, affordable, and sustainable housing. Additionally, understanding the relationship between affordable housing and social housing in England aids in choosing the appropriate term for various socioeconomic contexts. This will facilitate effective policymaking, resource allocation, and targeted interventions to address housing challenges and ensure equitable access to suitable housing for everyone.