The 3rd edition of this bestselling textbook has been completely revised to address the range of socio-economic factors that have influenced UK housing policy in the years since the previous edition was published. The issues explored include the austerity agenda, the impact of the Coalition government’s housing policies, the 2015 Conservative government’s policy direction, the evolving devolution agenda and the recent focus on housing supply.

The concluding chapter examines new policy ideas in the context of theoretical approaches to understanding housing policy: laissez-faire economics; social reformism; Marxist political economy; behavioural perspectives and social constructionism. Throughout the textbook, substantive themes are illustrated by boxed examples and case studies.

The author focuses on principles and theory and their application in the process of constructing housing policy, ensuring that the book will be a vital resource for undergraduate and postgraduate level students of housing and planning and related social policy modules.

"Understanding Housing Policy is an insightful exploration of contemporary housing problems and an excellent introduction to the subject." Social Policy, Vol. 36 (4) - 2007
"...this is a refreshing and different contribution to the literature. It clearly will prove of considerable value as an introductory text book and it maybe more accessible to undergraduates than the other books available are." Housing Studies Association Newsletter, Issue 1, 2007
"An excellent historical and theoretical review of housing policy: thoughtful, well informed, critical and up to date." Chris Paris, Professor of Housing Studies, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland

Brian Lund (1945-2021) was visiting Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and author of the bestselling textbook 'Understanding Housing Policy' (2017), as well as 'Housing Politics in the United Kingdom' (2016). He served as Housing Committee Chair of a large metropolitan housing authority and was an Open University Tutor for more than twenty-five years.