Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LI Housing, Home and Place: Issues in Policy
School	School of Social Policy
Department	Soc Policy, Sociology & Crimin
Module Code	08 40138
Module Lead	Emily Ball
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-9 hours Guided independent study-171 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Housing is one of the most important policy problems facing contemporary governments. This module introduces students to the importance of housing as a key aspect of social policy. In exploring contemporary issues in housing policy we will consider how and why housing policy has developed, which actors are involved, including market and non-profit sector actors, and how government attempts to shape and regulate an increasingly complex housing system. We will also consider how housing and housing policy cannot be analysed without considering the concepts of 'home' and 'place'. This module will cover a broad spectrum of housing policy issues such as Housing Planning, Supply and Access; Home Ownership; Asset Based Welfare and the Marketisation of Social Housing; Housing and Global Financial Markets; Affordability and Choice; Displacement and Regeneration, Generation Rent,Intersectional Housing Inequality, Social Exclusion, and Poverty and Homelessness. This module has a strong emphasis on research-based case studies and understanding practical interventions intended to address housing needs such as homelessness, house purchase by first time buyers after the Global Financial Crisis, Generation Rent and self-help housing.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: 20.1 Recognise the critical importance of housing in social policy and understand key issues in housing policy today. 20.2 Be aware of key developments of housing policy in the UK over the last hundred years, with particular emphasis on the last thirty. 20.3 Apply learning to research based case studies on multiple drivers of, and stakeholders within, housing policy and practice. 20.4 Use and apply conceptual tools and frameworks to understand housing policy, organisations and systems in the UK and within an international context.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Assessment: 1 x 3500 word housing report. The students will be asked to put together an academic policy report for Housing Policy Officers at Birmingham City Council. This report should raise a housing issue that needs to be actioned, alongside policy recommendations. Reassessment: 1 x 3500 word report (resubmission of failed work)
Other
Reading List