Alike in dignity? Housing in Bradford

Article

Bradford's housing landscape is a legacy of its industrial past. This report focuses on the effects of changes in tenure patterns - especially the trend towards housing benefit tenants residing in the private rental sector - and highlights the significance of non-decent and empty homes in shaping the local housing market.

Bradford is a place of extremes; the area is highly polarised in terms of concentrations of high- and low-income households, which is linked to the way the housing market operates. Yet those on the lowest incomes who live in the cheapest areas still face the worst affordability constraints - these areas present the most substantial policy challenges in Bradford.

The provision of affordable homes, in particular, can contribute to local economic development and support other policy agendas, such as skills, education and health.

The recommendations of this case study report fall into four categories:

  • localising housing benefit
  • establishing a new 'something-for-something' deal with private-sector landlords
  • secure residential development
  • guide development with solid local plans

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