Welfare Reform on the Web (March 2001): Social Housing - Overseas

POWER TO THE PEOPLE?

W. Pitcoff

Housing, Dec./Jan. 2001, p. 24-25

Describes the US Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Initiative administered by Department of Housing and Urban Development. Both focus on economic development in the form of tax incentives to encourage businesses to invest in deprived communities, but also emphasise resident participation and collaboration among local agencies. In spite of financial irregularities at some sites, the economic development focus of the EZ/EC programme has succeeded in bringing jobs into disadvantaged areas.

HOUSING REFORM AND THE NEW GOVERNANCE OF HOUSING IN URBAN CHINA

Xing, Q.Z.

International Journal of Public Sector Management, vol. 13, 2000, p. 519-525

Following the privatisation of housing in China and the introduction of the market mechanism, the roles of the state and work units have shifted from providers to enablers. However, the role of work units in housing distribution is intact. The involvement of work units as mediators in the housing market affects its performance and contributes to its fluctuations and uncertainty. In order to tackle the new problems arising from reform, the role of work units needs to be redefined.

MODEL CHOICE?

N. Bacon

Roof, Jan./Feb. 2001, p. 21-22

Explains the Delft method for social housing allocation. In the Netherlands social housing is an attractive tenure and allocations are choice-based. However the Delft model also involves rationing and the prioritisation of applicants. Thus, people with a stable housing history are given priority, and homes can be set aside for certain groups of people.