| A housing problem exists when some citizens in a society cannot meet their basic shelter needs on their own, either because insufficient housing is being produced--as in planned economies--or because they lack the means to afford housing, as in many market economies. Housing problems by nature are caused by an unequal distribution of social resources, both physical resources and decision making power--the power to distribute social resources. On the other hand, public policy is by definition public intervention in a realm where the private sector has failed. Housing policy is policy designed to solve or alleviate housing problems through appropriate public intervention.;The research focuses on housing problems and housing policy under a planned economy, and it takes China as a case study. After discussing China's urban housing problem, the study identifies three factors, increase of urban population and urban households, limited housing resources, and a questionable housing policy, as the main causes of China's urban housing problem. Although the Chinese government has recognized that an ineffective housing policy has contributed significantly to the housing problem, it is trying to solve the problem by introducing market forces into the housing field through public housing privatization and new housing commercialization--both are keys of housing reform being carried out since 1988. The research analyzes the results of housing reform, and points out that reducing public intervention in the housing field has proved a failure. The research puts forward an alternative housing policy in the context of a planned economy. Whereas the former housing policy was based on a political stability perspective, and housing reform is based on an economic consideration perspective, a normative perspective is offered as the basis for the alternative housing policy. While assuming that all social groups should be provided appropriate access to decent housing through various public programs, the alternative policy emphasizes "means" in reaching these ends. Public participation in the process of decision making, and important roles for NGOs and not-for-profit institutions in the housing field are especially recommended. "Have more hands in construction and welcome more voices in decision making" is suggested the most promising approach to solving the housing problem. |
