The term ‘housing crisis’ is bandied around in the media by politicians, commentators and people on X (formerly known as Twitter). It’s assumed that everyone understands what it means. In fact it covers a variety of problems – high house prices, increasing mortgage rates, rising rents and people unable to find accommodation.
The solution proposed by many is that there is a simple answer to the crisis – namely to ‘build more houses’ this is an example of a hegemonic belief.
“Hegemonic beliefs are beliefs which no one who holds them thinks to examine because they form part of the presumptive background of thought and action. They form our “common sense” impressions of life. When aspects of political life become so deeply institutionalised by processes, however brutal or gentle, abbreviated or protracted, that they cease to be considered as artifacts of political decision and struggle, but as given, and “natural,” they become invisible as political circumstances. They thereby assume a degree of immunity from challenges to their validity or from pressures toward change.” (Lustick, 1996).
This probably explains why the ‘build more houses’ soundbite dominates. This week has seen members of the Liberal Democrats overjoyed at retaining a 380,000 a year target. Bodies such as the BBC ignore impartiality and repeat the '300,000 houses are needed each year' without question. They should ask questions about the target and explain there are alternative discourses on housing.
Instead of a rational debate, examining and dissecting evidence we have recourse to simplistic myths – blame is shifted to NIMBYs, the old, house builders, the planning system, regulation in general. This approach neatly avoids debate, offering a simple solution.
However, failure to explore the ‘housing crisis’ its components and the contributory factors has several results. It leads to policies, which do not address the issues, and gives those with housing problems the illusion that governments and opposition parties have an answer.
Think tanks and pundits reiterate their favoured policy options – land value tax, buy farmland on the cheap, introduce rent controls or get pensioners to downsize for example. Yet such solutions frequently fail to address the issues instead creating the impression that there are easy answers.
The lack of a debate means that certain issues are largely avoided. The role of second homes and holiday lets is for many a taboo subject, although residents in areas like Cornwall regard them as significant problems. How much leeway should developers have in bringing forward projects, which may be profitable for them, yet are socially and environmentally undesirable.
Future blogs will explore the two main theories about the cause of the housing crisis and what options exist.
Lustick. I.S., Inf. J. Inferculrural Rel. Vol. 20. No. 3/4, pp. 479-492, 1996, Hegemonic beliefs and territorial rights.
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