Discourse analysis: What does it offer housing studies?

This article reviews the emerging literature which uses discourse analysis to explore questions for housing research. It considers the extent to which housing researchers have exploited the potential of discourse analysis as a research approach and assesses the nature of the contribution that employ ment of this approach has made to housing studies. The article firstly exam ines the nature of the empirical terrain which has been opened up to housin g research through its engagement with discourse analysis, before moving on to assess the extent to which this engagement has helped to illuminate hou sing processes. It concludes by arguing that discourse analysis offers a cr itical perspective, not only in relation to questions surrounding the use o f language, but also for more traditional issues in housing research.