UEP 302 Housing Problems and Policy

This course examines how societies provide people with shelter - through market forces government policy and self-help efforts. The course will focus on the United States but will also look at other societies to help understand the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. approach. Students will examine such housing problems as homelessness slums (substandard housing) the shortage of affordable housing racial segregation foreclosures and other topics. It will examine the pros and cons and different forms of rental housing and homeownership. It will look at the connection between housing issues and the environment public health education transportation suburbanization and sprawl poverty and inequality and racism. Students will explore housing as an aspect of our culture such as homeownership as the "American dream" and housing as a "haven." The course will explore the history of housing problems and housing policy including zoning racial discrimination finance public housing different government subsidies for housing and taxes. We will debate whether decent housing is a "right". We will look at housing problems and policies at the local state and national levels. Students will explore the politics of housing in terms of the various interest groups - including developers banks tenants community organizations landlords contractors unions and others -- involved in shaping housing policy. Students will also learn about housing as part of the "built environment" architecture land use urban design as a component of urban planning and as a part of "livable" cities. They will also examine housing as a component of real estate development and explore what housing developments - whether for-profit or non-profit - do.