Dr Cathy Davis is a freelance writer and housing and social policy researcher. Her career has spanned academia and all aspects of housing practice. Most recently, she has been a housing academic at the University of Salford (2003-12). Previously she worked for the National Housing Federation in their Yorkshire and Humber office (1986-96) representing housing associations. She is a qualified housing manager and former CAB specialist housing advisor.

• Part One: Overview;Political choices and housing finance;The global financial crisis and the UK government’s role;Part Two: Tenure;Local authority general housing services and building work;Owner-occupation;The changing fortunes of council housing;Housing associations;The private rented sector;Part Three: Issues with housing costs;‘Marginal’ owner occupation;A variety of rents;Paying for housing with help from housing benefits;Part Four: Discussion;Is our housing system sustainable?.

"A much needed up-to-date resource for housing students." Victoria Hiscocks, Cardiff Metropolitan University "Finance for Housing... is a mine of useful information and argument that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the housing system, and so is highly recommended" - Red Brick blog "This book is well-written, well-structred and easy to engage with as a result." Dr Stuart Cameron, The Univeristy of Bolton. "a clear guide to understanding the continuing crisis in the UK housing sector and the Coalition's policies in particular...highly recommended" Dexter Whitfield, The Spokesman issue 123 "Frequently provocative and is likely to challenge many of its intended readership's views...an accessible and thought provoking account of finance for housing policies." People, Place and Policy "This timely book underlines why housing has moved from the periphery to the centre of social policy debates. I hope that it will be read by policy-makers and activists as well as students and academics." Ruth Lister, Emeritus Professor Loughborough University, and member of the House of Lords "The test of a civilised society is that everyone should have access to a decent home. In the post-war years a huge house building programme for local authorities was set up and this met a real need. Today we need a similar programme which would create jobs and help us to escape from the agony of austerity." Tony Benn, former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister "An informative book about housing policy in the UK." Journal of Housing and the Built Environment.