Housing Policy as a Tool of Social Policy

Studies of the long-term social effects of housing have not reached firm conclusions on sound empirical bases. Yet, while considering policies for social change, a distinguished sociologist declared that “housing is a resource that has little effect in overcoming other social deficits.” Data from a study of newcomers to Israel provided a rare opportunity for an empirical study of some social effects of housing policies in a setting in which the distinction between cause and effect is clear. We found that neighborhood composition policy influenced both social integration and the interethnic distance between western and eastern Israelis. Population dispersal policy affected economic integration, social integration, and rootedness in the town of residence. We concluded that housing has a multiplier effect, and that housing policies can be manipulated to achieve social goals.