The Promise and Problems of Applying the Capabilities Approach to Housing Policy and Research

ABSTRACT

Kim’s paper (the main focus article) provides an insightful discussion of how the capabilities approach may be used to reorient housing policy towards the human and social dimensions of housing. I raise three key issues in response to Kim's piece. The first is that the process for deriving and specifying any housing-related capabilities must be clear and defensible. The second is that there must be a clear line of argument between the concept of justice and any housing-related capabilities. The third is the need for discussion on the different ways to think about the causes of capability deprivation, as any such understanding has implications for policy to address these causes. These three issues require nuanced debate and resolution. However, I am confident that the debate generated by Kim's important article will bring housing scholars closer to the promise of the capabilities approach — of greater human flourishing through equality of capability.

KEYWORDS:

• Capabilities
• Housing policy
• Nussbaum
• Homelessness
• Justice

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Prof. Kath Hulse and Dr Karina Roberts for their helpful comments on a draft of this piece.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.