I don't necessarily agree. Different countries have different issues but in the case of the UK neo-liberal policy has clearly been the root cause. Social housi

I don't necessarily agree. Different countries have different issues but in the case of the UK neo-liberal policy has clearly been the root cause. Social housing stock was sold off, ostensibly to occupiers, at significantly less than market value. This comical scheme is still going on today, imagine the reaction of landlords if private renters were offered a 70% discount[0] on the purchase price of a property. An interesting phenomenon occurred when the scheme was introduced as well, neighbourhoods were canvassed with offers to purchase the house they rented. Many of the people living in these houses wouldn't be approved for a mortgage, so on the same day many of these houses were sold at their insane discount, they would be sold on immediately to a private investor. At the same time councils were prevented from reinvesting that capital in the construction of new housing stock. The result is that the UK has some of the highest rents in Europe and also some of the poorest housing quality. Privately rented flats are often full of mold, with tenants are unable to assert their rights due to fear of retaliation. It has also contributed to the majority of the economy being centralised in London. Putting aside the intentional annihilation of the UK's productive industries for a moment. Private builders are incentivised to invest where demand is currently hottest leaving other regions to deteriorate. The result is that even more economic activity is now occurring in the region which encourages ever more economic concentration. State provisioned housing is concerned with wider societal benefit. Short term profit matters much less, meaning they can invest in rural or currently unproductive areas in hope of nurturing economic growth there. This simply doesn't occur otherwise. The power wielded by the kind of large enterprise encouraged by neo-liberal policy prevents the kind of organic growth that makes most communities a pleasant place to live. We can see that in the total dearth of parks, green space, local shops, doctors offices and schools in the UK's new build developments. I won't go into much detail about the raft of other problems that neo-liberalism introduces but disposable income only recently recovered to 1960s levels, both members of the household are now working and yet they're often struggling to afford basic necessities. All of these contribute to the issue of housing affordability and provision. [0] https://www.gov.uk/right-to-buy-buying-your-council-home/discounts https://www.gov.uk/right-to-buy-buying-your-council-home/dis...