The opening chapter provides an overview of the topics covered in the book, set in the context of the key policy debates that have taken place in recent years, not just in the UK but across countries facing similar issues. The chapter introduces the analytical approaches to be used. The methods are primarily those of economists – including modern as well as traditional techniques - but recognise the insights of other disciplines and the political constraints under which housing operates. The chapter stresses that housing cannot be divorced from the macroeconomy and monetary and fiscal policies are often more important to housing outcomes than policies directly aimed at housing. But housing also influences the economy which, particularly since the Global Financial Crisis, has added further constraints on housing policy.