This course focuses on providing a basic understanding of social policy analysis in the context of informal housing. The course provides an understanding of the social, economic, political, and global factors that influence the development and implementation of social policies. It combines the effects of values (such as social justice), principles and ideologies in the definition of social problems and in the development/formulation of public policies in general and social policies on informal housing in particular. It includes the role of government, nongovernmental, and for-profit organizations in policy-making and implementation, the influence of policies and programs in reducing poverty and enhancing health and economic well-being, and the importance of research in policy analysis, and how policy efforts can be improved.