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Social Housing Reforms in England and Wales: A Public Choice Evaluation

Author

Listed:
  • George A. Boyne

    (Public Services Research Unit, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, CF10 3EU, UK, Boyne@cf.ac.uk)

  • Richard M. Walker

    (Department of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University, CF10 3WA, UK, Walkerrm@cf.ac.uk)

Abstract

Public choice theory provides three main principles for the management of social housing: market structures should be competitive; organisations should be compelled to produce information on their efficiency and effectiveness; and large agencies should be disaggregated into smaller units. Social housing reforms in England and Wales have largely reflected these principles. However, it is difficult to establish the impact of public choice policies because data on housing performance are incomplete. Furthermore, the effects of housing reforms are clouded by a range of social and economic changes in the context of housing management. Nevertheless, the available evidence suggests that public choice principles have had contradictory effects: efficiency and responsiveness have improved, but equity has deteriorated. Thus judgements on public choice theory depend on the weight attached to these different dimensions of performance.

Suggested Citation

  • George A. Boyne & Richard M. Walker, 1999. "Social Housing Reforms in England and Wales: A Public Choice Evaluation," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 36(13), pages 2237-2262, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:36:y:1999:i:13:p:2237-2262
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098992403
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kolm, Serge-Christophe, 1996. "Moral Public Choice," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 87(1-2), pages 117-141, April.
    2. George A. Boyne, 1996. "Scale, Performance And The New Public Management: An Empirical Analysis Of Local Authority Services," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(6), pages 809-826, November.
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