LINKING HOUSING CHANGES TO CRIME

Housing figures prominently in debates about crime in Britain. it has become commonplace to comment on the increasing associations between c rime and council housing. This paper explores some of the issues which link housing and crime. It argues that it is important to recognize h ow the social base and geography of housing have changed and to unders tand processes which lead to an increasing concentration in council ho using of those with least choice in the housing market and fewest reso urces elsewhere. Bt the same time there is a danger in overstating the associations between crime and council housing and neglecting other a ssociations with housing, and homelessness. In view of the association s between crime and council housing, considerable effort has been expe nded on developing management and other responses designed to reduce c rime. The general view is that a broad approach is required in such in itiatives and the limited research evidence does not suggest that hous ing management action alone is effective in reducing crime, The associ ation which exists between council housing and crime requires a policy response which relates to why the most deprived sections of the commu nity are increasingly concentrated in parts of the housing market and exposed to increased risks, and one which relates to the pattern of op portunities and choices in the housing system and not just to housing management.