Since 1960, the average age of buying a first house has risen by over 10 years, and the multiple of income needed has increased. From the late 1970s, social housing declined and problems of home ownership subsequently arose. As a result, more people are renting nowadays, often in sub-standard accommodation. Why has housing in British cities reached this state of crisis? This lecture will look back to the Victorian era and will explain the shift to owner-occupation and council housing after the First World War. The lecture will conclude by considering possible solutions and asks whether there are lessons from other cities.
Gresham College
