From local politics to state regulation: The legislation and policy on race equality in housing

Abstract

Abstract This article reviews the implications of recent fundamental change in housing legislation and policy for race equality in housing. A restructuring of social housing provision; involving investment shifts from local authorities to housing associations, the attempt to introduce market mechanisms and the encouragement of tenants and housing providers to ‘opt out’ of the local state have challenged the local political model of race equality. In its place is a regulatory model, policed by the Housing Corporation and the Commission for Racial Equality, both of whom have attained new powers under this legislation which has restructured social housing. These important changes are, however, of less significance than the overall decline in social housing investment for black and ethnic minority households in housing need.