Housing

Housing

Housing is at the root of many of the rich world’s problems

Since the second world war, governments across the rich world have made three big mistakes, says Callum Williams

A history

How housing became the world’s biggest asset class

It is only a recent phenomenon

Supply

Politicians are finally doing something about housing shortages

But will it reduce housing costs?

Housing finance

A decade on from the housing crash, new risks are emerging

Shadow banks originate around half America’s mortgages

Better off renting?

Owner-occupation is not always a better deal than renting

Each year American owner-occupiers pay around $200bn in maintenance costs on their homes

Home ownership

Home ownership is in decline

That is not a big cause for concern

Housing for the poor

Governments are rethinking the provision of public housing

Is it better to give people money or build them houses?

The future

What is the future of the rich world’s housing markets?

It is plausible that house prices could persistently rise faster than incomes

Sources and acknowledgments