Peter Somerville is Professor in Social Policy at the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside. He has published widely on issues of housing, social exclusion and community empowerment.

• Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Households and Families; Chapter 3 Communities and Community Development; Chapter 4 Contractual Relations and Social Divisions; Chapter 5 State–Citizen Relations and Social Justice; Chapter 6 Policy Implications; Chapter 7 Conclusion;