The stigmatisation of public housing: findings from a panel investigation

Abstract

This Investigative Panel found that social housing neighbourhoods are stigmatised because government policies have worked to congregate socially disadvantaged people in social housing neighbourhoods while under-investing in the tenure. At the same time, the media has portrayed these neighbourhoods as a haven for criminals and the welfare dependent. The authors argue that social housing organisations need to better employ the media to highlight the good effects of social housing, and educate the public about inequities in the housing system.