Housing, the welfare state and poverty: on the financialization of housing and the dependent variable problem

Hick, R. and Stephens, M. (2023) Housing, the welfare state and poverty: on the financialization of housing and the dependent variable problem. Housing, Theory and Society, 40(1), pp. 78-95. (doi: 10.1080/14036096.2022.2095438)

[img] Text
278591.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

670kB

Abstract

The comparative study of housing systems enjoys a “disjointed” relationship with comparative literature on the welfare state and poverty, a separation which has been to the detriment of each of these fields. Such are its implications for the income distribution that the concept of “financializaton” developed in housing studies provides potentially rich raw material for welfare state and poverty literature. However, there are also limitations in the way in which “financializaton” has been operationalized in housing studies: definitions are often inconsistent, and it has proven challenging to identify indicators that measure convincingly the multiple dimensions of financialization. We argue that greater consideration of the “dependent variable problem”, extensively discussed in the welfare state literature, but generally neglected in housing studies, can advance understanding of housing market financialization and its effects. A greater integration of scholarship on the welfare state, housing studies and poverty would be to mutual benefit.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Funding This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [ES/S016694/1].
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stephens, Professor Mark
Authors: Hick, R., and Stephens, M.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:Housing, Theory and Society
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:1403-6096
ISSN (Online):1651-2278
Published Online:07 July 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Author(s)
First Published:First published in Housing, Theory and Society 40(1): 78-95
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record