Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 4(12), pp. 1037 - 1043
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041201
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Old-new Problems with Housing after 27 Years of Transformation Questions Regarding the Sociology of Dwelling

Grażyna Woroniecka ^*
Center of Sociology of Dwelling, Institute of Applied Social Sciences, University of Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

The article tackles the issue of the field of research into the contemporary sociology of dwelling. In the light of extremely liberal housing policy based on the assumption of housing needs being financed with the capital of the individual buyers due to their purchasing capabilities (via loans), one may acknowledge that dwelling culture has undergone significant change. Though slowly and with obstacles, market demand is causing a certain differentiation in what is available, and this is accompanied by equally sluggish processes in the reshaping of buyers' expectations. The evolving demographic structure, changing customs, increased mobility (compared to the Polish People's Republic) and migration processes comprise a new picture of models, practices and preferences related to one's dwelling. The developing rental market is conducive for the adjustment of supply to these preferences, though slowly and despite unfavourable regulations, although there is still a long way to go before it becomes fully functional. Housing policies are doing little to meet the real expectations, focusing only on the issue of financing social housing. The sociology of dwelling faces the task of compiling a description of cultural change that could become the basis for constructing micro- and mezzo- housing policies based on the self-reference concept of the buyers' interest, thus showing a greater degree of adequacy and lower level of ideologisation.

KEYWORDS
Liberal Housing Policy, Capital, Rent, Diversification of Dwelling Practices, The Sociology of Dwelling

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Grażyna Woroniecka , "Old-new Problems with Housing after 27 Years of Transformation Questions Regarding the Sociology of Dwelling," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 4, No. 12, pp. 1037 - 1043, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041201.

(b). APA Format:
Grażyna Woroniecka (2016). Old-new Problems with Housing after 27 Years of Transformation Questions Regarding the Sociology of Dwelling. Sociology and Anthropology, 4(12), 1037 - 1043. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041201.