Housing expenditure and neighbourhood economic development

Outline In low‐income neighbourhoods, with limited commercial and industrial development possibilities, the only major local investment opportunities tend to be associated with housing and environmental upgrading. However, when these investments take place the typical experience is that the residents of the area enjoy only limited employment and training benefits from the works carried out. This paper assesses a number of initiatives where serious attempts have been made to secure long‐term employment and training gains for local people in association with environmental and housing expenditure programmes in their locality. It shows that modest benefits can be achieved and discusses the longer run potential for such initiatives.