First published in 1984, this book presents a survey of housing problems in various European countries and how individual states have responded.

Each chapter begins by surveying the problem in each country since the Second World War, before going on to outline the roles fulfilled by national housing agencies and local authorities, as well as assessing the impact of housing policies on society and on the physical shape of cities. It considers whether housing policies have succeeded or failed and how the ‘housing problem’ has changed over time. Each chapter draws out lessons that can be learned for the future from each country’s past handling of the problem.

This book will be a useful reference for those interested in housing, including planners, geographers, economists, sociologists or policy-makers.