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Housing poverty is the most extreme form of social inequality in Britain, according to a new report by centre left think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research.

The report reveals the polarisation of housing provision has a negative effect on school standards, crime, neighbourhoods and public services.

The IPPR is calling for a "dramatic change" to close the growing "equity divide" between people living in the North and the South East and between home owners and people who rent, and to increase choice.


The think-tank wants the treasury to set targets to reduce the gap in growth between regions and cut the number of low-income households in the most disadvantaged areas.

Tenants should have a greater say in where they live, with social landlords allowed to buy homes to rent in neighbourhoods of predominantly private housing, the report adds.

- Housing Equality and Choice from www.ippr.org