Housing benefits in 22 countries

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Abstract

Housing benefit is an important component of the tax/benefit package. This article compares the contribution that housing benefit makes to the structure and value of the package paid to families with children in 22 countries in July 2001. It describes the demand-side housing subsidies that exist. It then examines how the value of housing benefit varies by family type and earnings level, using the model family method. Compared with other countries families in the UK receive rather small reductions in their rent, and because child tax credits are taken into account in assessing housing benefit, it is restricted to families with the lowest earnings and tends to be smaller for larger families. Some suggestions are made for reforming housing benefit.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)87-94
Number of pages8
JournalBenefits
Volume12
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2004

Keywords

  • employment/benefits
  • housing
  • comparative research

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