About Us

LSE Housing and Communities is a research and consultancy group within the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) at the London School of Economics led by Professor Anne Power. CASE is a multi-disciplinary research centre which focuses on the exploration of different dimensions of social disadvantage, particularly disadvantage from longitudinal and neighbourhood perspectives. It examines the impact of public policy on individuals, communities and areas.  LSE Housing and Communities is also associated with the School’s Department of Social Policy. 

LSE Housing and Communities conducts policy- and practice-related research in disadvantaged neighbourhoods; develops models of housing and neighbourhood management, community engagement and control; explores and uncovers the support needs of low-income communities and residents engaged in self-help action, especially in social housing areas; and informs the debate around government policy. Our work investigates the impact of poor neighbourhood and area conditions on families, children and residents; we document the roles local people play in regenerating and improving their communities, as well as understanding why these efforts sometimes fail.

We have over twenty years of research experience in low-income areas, covering housing, regeneration, family life, communities and sustainable retrofit, for over 15 years.  Our work on sustainable development covers the role of housing and the built environment in climate change, the consequences of suburban sprawl, the cost of environmental damage, the recovery of inner city communities and distressed estates, and neighbourhood renewal. We explore the potential for making existing communities more sustainable through ‘retrofitting’ in order to limit environmental damage. Families and young people, housing and health, elderly care, and inter-ethnic integration are all aspects of community life that influence and shape our work. LSE Housing and Communities has been at the frontline of evaluating government policy, shaping ideas for change and proposing solutions to declining conditions and tensions in deprived areas. We are actively engaged with social landlords and other agencies in applying our research to the challenge of bringing about change.

LSE Housing and Communities works collaboratively with other organisations within Europe and the United States, and have an important partnership with the Brookings Institution. For example, since 2006, we have led a research programme and practitioner exchange exploring the decline and recovery of former industrial cities across Europe.

Our areas of expertise and interest are:

Neighbourhoods

• disadvantaged and run-down neighbourhoods;
• neighbourhood renewal and regeneration;
• community infrastructure.

Housing

• social housing;
• housing management and neighbourhood management;
• supply of and demand for housing;
• mixed communities;
• sustainable communities.

Social problems

• social inclusion;
• family interventions;
• marginal groups, race relations and community cohesion;
• community self-help and capacity building;
• community engagement;
• residential training and small grants;
• adult learning and basic skills;
• anti-social behaviour, crime and residents' action over local crime;
• social change;
• riots and disorder.

Climate change

• climate change;
• energy efficiency;
• local and community action on environmental sustainability;
• sustainable transport including public transport, walking and cycling.

Cities and international experience

• cities and urban renewal;
• international and European settlements and cities.

What We Offer

• background research on trends, problems and solutions in our areas of expertise;
• primary research with communities and staff in deprived neighbourhoods;
• consultancy on neighbourhood and community issues;
• developmental and impact evaluation of community-based initiatives;
• event organising to disseminate information and / or consult;
• policy forming 'Think Tank' events.