Housing Affordability for Families With Children

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-100
Author(s):  
Susan D. Einbinder ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Housing Program ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
Housing Costs ◽  
Precise Measure ◽  
American Housing Survey ◽  
Families With Children

Researchers, housing program administrators, and others assume housing costs are affordable if they represent up to 30 percent of a household's income. This standard appears to be skewed against families with children. Michael Stone's "Shelter Poverty" offers a new, in some respects more precise, measure of housing affordability. Both measures were calculated to explore housing affordability among an estimated 30 million families with children, using the 1991 American Housing Survey. One-third of families had housing difficulties under either measure, but "Shelter Poverty," concentrated among lower-income families, provides a more realistic classification for families. Adopting "Shelter Poverty" would, thus, offer a more credible guide to "affordable" housing policies for America's families with children.

scholarly journals Examining building age, rental housing and price filtering for affordability in Melbourne, Australia

Urban Studies ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 004209802092783
Author(s):  
Matthew Palm ◽  
Katrina Eve Raynor ◽  
Georgia Warren-Myers
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Government Expenditure ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
1960S And 1970S ◽  
The 1960S

Governments worldwide have responded to housing affordability challenges with supply-side solutions. Proponents of these approaches often draw on the notion of ‘filtering effects’ to argue that new supply naturally trickles down to lower-income households over time, improving affordability. This study examines the characteristics of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing in Melbourne, Australia, analysing how dwelling age impacts rental cost. We specify a non-linear relationship between building age and rents through hedonic rent modelling, reflecting a premium for historic properties in inner Melbourne. We also conduct a cluster analysis of rental listings and measure affordability by cluster. Our results problematise the notion of filtering, finding that most contemporary affordable housing was initially built in the 1960s and 1970s as social housing or targeted at low-income households. We argue that filtering in this instance is not natural but is instead a reflection of historic government expenditure and past construction choices, or ‘filter up’.

Millennial ‘YIMBYs’ and boomer ‘NIMBYs’: Generational views on housing affordability in the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 003802612091612
Author(s):  
Max Holleran
Keyword(s):  
Baby Boomers ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Market Rate ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Housing Costs

This article examines housing activism in five American cities using interviews with millennial-age housing activists, seeking more apartment development, and baby boomers who are members of neighbourhood groups that oppose growth. Many of the groups supporting growth have banded together under the banner of the ‘Yes in My Backyard’ (YIMBY) movement which seeks fewer zoning laws and pushes for market-rate rental housing. In desirable cities with thriving job opportunities, housing costs are pricing out not only low-income renters but also the middle class. The millennial activists sampled blame baby boomers for the lack of affordable housing because of resistance to higher density construction in neighbourhoods with single-family homes (characterising these people as having a ‘Not in My Backyard’ [NIMBY] mindset). The research shows that boomers and millennials not only disagree over urban growth but also more fundamental questions of what makes a liveable city.

Subsidizing the Housing Costs of Lower-Income Tenants

2020 ◽  
pp. 195-210
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Meen ◽  
Christine Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Private Renting ◽  
Housing Subsidies ◽  
Housing Costs ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Uk

Chapter 12 turns to tenant subsidies. Since the introduction of income-related housing subsidies to tenants in the early 1970s there has been continuing debate about the relative weight to be given to demand side and supply side subsidies. The numbers helped by the second is limited by available supply while in the UK the first provides an as of right benefit to all eligible households in both the social and private rented sectors. Other issues relate to the efficiency and capacity to target assistance, the relative public expenditure costs to achieve government objectives, and their impact on the allocation of affordable housing and on work incentives. One of the most important and unpredicted changes in housing has been the growth of private renting which now accommodates around 20 per cent of households in the UK. The chapter discusses these tenure shifts and examines how austerity, regulation and changes to welfare policy have impacted on households and affordability.

scholarly journals THE GAP BETWEEN HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSE: A CHALLENGE FOR POLICY MAKERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Najihah Azmi ◽  
Ahmad Ariffian Bujang
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Household Income ◽  
House Price ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Housing Costs ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Descriptive Method ◽  
Affordable House

Much of the literature defines housing affordability as the relationship between household income and housing expenditure (housing costs). Affordable housing refers to the affordability of the household to own or rent the housing. Housing becomes unaffordable if the housing costs exceed the income of the household. Thus, the objective of this paper is to define the difference between housing affordability and an affordable house and to identify the factors influencing the gap between housing affordability and an affordable house. To achieve the objectives of this paper, 28 variables or factors have been identified. These variables or factors are then analysed by using the descriptive method of analysis. After analysing 28 identified variables or factors, the findings show that a high house price, a high monthly repayment, the type of property ownership and the land area either extremely or moderately influenced the gap between housing affordability and an affordable house.

scholarly journals The housing crisis in Australia and New Zealand: A comparative analysis through policy lenses

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-223
Author(s):  
Don Amila Sajeevan Samarasinghe ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Housing Crisis ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government

Housing affordability is a prominent issue across the world. There is a growing concern that the number of people experiencing homelessness is rapidly increasing. As a solution, many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have introduced housing policies aimed at providing affordable houses to low-to-medium income families. Over recent years, several affordable housing policies have been introduced in both Australia and New Zealand, including public housing initiatives, rental subsidies, accommodation supplements, state housing programmes and the provision of social housing. New Zealand launched the KiwiBuild programme in 2018 to increase housing affordability. Unfortunately, in 2019, KiwiBuild was unable to deliver its targeted primary objectives set by the Government. This study features a comparative analysis, primarily focusing on comparing and contrasting affordable housing policies in Australia and New Zealand. Subsequently, it discusses the reasons why the KiwiBuild programme failed. It makes recommendations based on policies used in Australia with a view to improving affordable housing policies in New Zealand. This research contributes and adds to the existing body of knowledge about affordable housing policies in both Australia and New Zealand. The recommendations will be helpful for future researchers who wish to develop workable policies to assist with affordable housing-related issues in New Zealand.

The Two Million Housing Drive in Korea

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 906-933
Author(s):  
Christopher Feather
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mass Housing ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Policies And Programs

Purpose Emerging states confront staggering shortages in adequate housing stock. In response, governments have sought various supply-based solutions to mitigate growing housing deficits. While many of these mass housing efforts have not produced the desired outcome, the Republic of Korea’s Two Million Housing Drive (TMHD) was a comparatively successful intervention with its implementation from 1988 to 1992. The five-year initiative exceeded its objective with the construction of over 2.1 million units – of which two-thirds were built by the private sector. The purpose of this study is to analyse Korea’s relatively effective supply-based affordable housing approach and then extrapolate best practices and lessons learned with applications for real estate markets in the developing world. Comparative understanding of the TMHD can help promote greater access to adequate housing in the developing world, especially for the many who continue to live in impoverished conditions. Design/methodology/approach The research uses content-based and quantitative methods to analyze the case of the TMHD in Korea toward informing improvements in corresponding supply-based housing policies and programs in developing states. Findings While there were challenges with the TMHD, the program repositioned Korea’s urban housing market with greater access to affordable housing in cities for the lower-income and vulnerable. The TMHD enabled the subsequent effectiveness of demand-based housing policies. Research limitations/implications There are research limitations in fully understanding the complex relationships between mass housing programs, economic growth and government policies. The abductive reasoning used in this case study enables in-depth analysis of the TMHD with generalizable inferences for middle-range theories with applications for emerging markets. Practical implications The experience of the TMHD can promote policy harmonization by helping optimize corresponding mass housing efforts in the developing world with the potential to similarly close quantitative housing deficits and expand access to adequate housing for lower-income and vulnerable households. Social implications Deeper understanding of the TMHD can lead to reforms of other mass housing initiatives in emerging markets to make adequate housing more accessible and economical for the benefit of underserved segments of society. Originality/value The Korean experience with the TMHD can inform the optimization of other similar large-scale policies and programs seeking to sustainably overcome shortfalls in adequate housing that have become all too common in the developing world.

scholarly journals Can Malaysia’s National Affordable Housing Policy Guarantee Housing Affordability of Low-Income Households?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8841
Author(s):  
Jian Liu ◽  
Huay Ying Ong
Keyword(s):  
Housing Policy ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Compliance Cost ◽  
Income Groups ◽  
Low Income Groups ◽  
Low Income Households

Housing affordability is a long-held issue in Malaysia, and housing policies have been implemented for low-income households over the years. However, there is a contradiction that housing affordability of low-income households has not been met, while the bulk of affordable housing is still vacant. In 2019, Malaysia enacted the National Affordable Housing Policy (DRMM) which was intended to improve housing affordability for low-income groups. This paper aims to answer why Malaysia’s long-term implementation of affordable housing policies cannot guarantee housing affordability, and whether the DRMM can effectively improve housing affordability as expected, by comparing the empirical factors of housing affordability. A literature review and a comparative analysis are adopted in the research. The paper concludes that low household income, high land price, construction cost and compliance cost, mismatch of supply and demand in terms of quantity, the instability of the national economy, low home financing ability, and incomprehensive housing planning have caused low housing affordability of low-income groups in Malaysia. The DRMM as anticipated can improve housing affordability by supplying affordable housing more precisely, lowering housing costs, and improving home financing ability. However, the exclusion of household income and economic factors may cause the ineffectiveness of the DRMM in improving housing affordability for low-income households.

scholarly journals Regulatory planning and affordable housing in Kigali City: policies, challenges and prospects

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Nkubito ◽  
Andrew Baiden-Amissah
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Zoning Regulations ◽  
Housing Costs

The availability of sufficient housing for all is often stated as a priority for enhancing the social needs of a society. Studies from elsewhere have suggested a correlation between zoning strictness and inflating housing costs, which also leads to the exclusion of social classes in cities. However, in Africa, these linkages have not been adequately assessed. With zoning being at the heart of the current planning system in Rwanda, this research aims at examining the linkages between zoning planning and housing affordability, in an emerging urban setting like Kigali City. The study employed a combination of systematic review of articles, policy documents, discourse, and cost analysis to assess the effects of the strictness of master plan and zoning requirements on housing costs, and the ease of access to housing particularly for low-income households. This paper finds a significant gap in affordable housing supply, a moderate impact of zoning regulations on housing production costs, and a clear policy determination to address the housing problem despite implementation constraints. This study thus suggests for a relaxation in zoning regulations for certain income thresholds, re-defining of affordability to match the local context, and the generation of housing affordability indexes to inform government’s urban housing strategies.Keywords: Regulatory Planning, Affordable Housing, Urban Poor Households, Kigali City

scholarly journals Viewpoint: Turning streets into housing

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1061-1073
Author(s):  
Adam Millard-Ball
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Right Of Way ◽  
Housing Costs ◽  
Accessory Dwelling Units ◽  
Potential Strategy ◽  
The Right ◽  
Street Width

I argue that wide residential streets in US cities are both a contributor to homelessness and a potential strategy to provide more affordable housing. In residential neighborhoods, subdivision ordinances typically set binding standards for street width, far in excess of what is economically optimal or what private developers and residents would likely prefer. These street width standards are one contributor to high housing costs and supply restrictions, which exacerbate the housing affordability crisis in high-cost cities. Planning for autonomous vehicles highlights the overprovision of streets in urban areas. Because they can evade municipal anti-camping restrictions that restrict the use of streets by unhoused people, autonomous camper vans have the ability to blur the distinction between land for housing and land for streets. I propose two strategies through which excess street space can accommodate housing in a formalized way. First, cities could permit camper van parking on the right-of-way, analogous to liveaboard canal boats that provide housing options in some UK cities. Second, extending private residential lots into the right-of-way would create space for front-yard accessory dwelling units.

Urban Population and Identification of Indicators for Affordable Housing in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S11) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Fundamental Issue ◽  
Area Unit ◽  
Outlying Regions ◽  
Indian Nations ◽  
Statistical Area ◽  
Present View

Urbanization assumes a pivotal role in the economic development of any country. Housing affordability has been broadly perceived as a fundamental issue in making practical assembled condition particularly with regards to developing world urban communities. As a result, a large number of the least urbanized and least developed Indian nations' will confront serious difficulties in giving moderate housing to the urban tenants. This exploration is done to distinguish conceivable indicators for affordable housing in India, particularly in the urban zones. Likewise, it inspects the present view of housing affordability in outlying regions through the improvement of a set of empirical indicators. These indicators are applied to give an incorporated affordability record for each statistical area unit across India.

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