The Failure of Neoliberalism: The Case of Housing

Housing is a high-order human need in all societies, at all times. Under capitalism, especially in its neoliberal era, access to housing that meets basic human needs has been denied to an increasing proportion of the population. This has and is resulting in rising levels of over-crowding and homelessness that both undermines the productivity of the economy and destroys the opportunities of increasing numbers of citizens. This paper traces the trajectory and causes of housing system failure in the most advanced Western nations. Foremost among the forces of failure are rising economic inequality and the political influence of vested interests in the property lobby. Suggestions are offered as to how policy interventions could reverse the momentum.