2021/02/22 by Winston Chou, Rafaela Dancygier · 1 citation
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism #Political and Economic history of UK and US #Urban, Neighborhood, and Segregation Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s0003055421000058
openalex publication_date 2021/02/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Across advanced economies, affordable housing shortages are pushing low-income voters out of cities. Left governments frequently exacerbate these shortages by eliminating public housing. Why does the Left pursue policies that displace its voters? We argue that the Left’s long-term rebalancing towards the middle class and away from an increasingly stigmatized “underclass” has significantly attenuated the trade-offs inherent in reducing affordable housing. Focusing on the UK, we demonstrate that by alienating low-income voters politically and reshuffling them across districts, housing crises have significant costs for Labour. Yet, drawing on interviews, we show that displacement is nonetheless compatible with electoral interests: the displaced make room for richer voters whom politicians believe will also support Labour. A quantitative analysis of Greater London’s 32 local authorities and 624 wards further documents trends in line with coalitional rebalancing. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that electoral foundations are key to understanding housing crises and gentrification.