What led to the increase in social renting after World War I?

The increase in social renting after World War I was primarily influenced by significant changes in government policy aimed at addressing the housing shortages that emerged in the aftermath of the war. The government realized the urgency to provide affordable housing solutions for returning soldiers and the general populace, which led to the establishment of policies that promoted the construction and availability of social housing.

This policy shift aimed not only to support those most affected by the war, such as veterans and low-income families, but also to combat the broader issues of poverty and inadequate living conditions that were prevalent at the time. By creating frameworks for social housing, the government could stabilize and improve the housing market, ensuring that larger sections of the population had access to decent housing without the prohibitive costs often associated with private renting.

Additionally, the other factors mentioned, such as rising private rental costs and increased housing demand, were certainly relevant in the context of the post-war environment but were not the primary drivers for the increase in social renting. Instead, they highlighted the need for a structured response through government intervention, which manifested in social housing initiatives.