Understanding Affordability - by Geoffrey Meen & Christine Whitehead (Paperback)

About the Book

Written by two distinguished housing economists, this ambitious book tackles one of the most important socio-economic issues facing households today. Drawing from theoretical and empirical frameworks, the authors challenge conventional wisdoms in housing economics and policy and offer innovative recommendations to improve housing affordability.

Book Synopsis

For many younger and lower-income people, housing affordability continues to worsen.

Based on the academic research of two distinguished housing economists - and stimulated by working with governments across the world - this wide-ranging book sets out clear theoretical and empirical frameworks to tackle one of today's most important socio-economic issues.

Housing unaffordability arises from complex forces and a prerequisite to effective policy is understanding the causes of rising house prices and rents and the interactions between housing, housing finance and the macroeconomy. The authors challenge many of the conventional wisdoms in housing policy and offer innovative recommendations to improve affordability.

Review Quotes

"A hugely informative account of the underlying problems in our housing market and why they are so very difficult to tackle." The Society of Professional Economists

"The book sets out to unpick the complex forces exacerbating the endemic unaffordability of UK Housing. Thankfully, it offers insight and recommendations to improve our country's dire situation." Red Brick

"This is a book that scores at the top of the scale on scholarship quality. It is undoubtedly set to become a renowned landmark and reference point in the housing studies field." Housing Studies

"I recommend this fine book to anyone interested in housing economics, and particularly housing affordability in the United Kingdom. It is rare to have a book that presents economic analysis with a sober reflection on political constraints and that also emphasizes the roots of and embraces new developments in the discipline. Understanding Affordability fills that void." Journal of the American Planning Association

About the Author

Geoffrey Meen is Professor Emeritus in Applied Economics at the University of Reading and is a member of the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence.

Christine Whitehead is Professor Emeritus in Housing Economics and Deputy Director of LSE London at the London School of Economics.