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1 – 10 of 864Graham Squires, Don Webber, Hai Hong Trinh and Arshad Javed
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between house price affordability (HPA) and rental price affordability (RPA) in New Zealand. The cointegration of HPA and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between house price affordability (HPA) and rental price affordability (RPA) in New Zealand. The cointegration of HPA and RPA is of particular focus given rising house prices and rising rents.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines the lead-lad correlation between HPA and RPA. The method uses a generalised least square technique and the development of an ordinary least squares model.
Findings
The study shows that there is an existence of cointegration and unidirectional statistical causality effects between HPA and RPA across 11 regions in New Zealand. Furthermore, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury are the three regions in which the results detect the most extreme effects amongst HPA and RPA compared to other places in the country. Extended empirical work shows interesting results that there are lead-lag effects of HPA and RPA on each other and on mortgage rates at the national scale. These effects are consistent for both methods but are changed at individual lead-lag variables and amongst different regions.
Originality/value
The study empirically provides useful insight for both academia and practitioners. Particularly in examining the long-run effects, cointegration and forecasting of the volatile interactions between HPA and RPA.
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Michael Atafo Adabre and Albert P.C. Chan
This paper presents a sustainability assessment model to holistically guide sustainable construction and green retrofitting of affordable housing from the Ghanaian perspective.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents a sustainability assessment model to holistically guide sustainable construction and green retrofitting of affordable housing from the Ghanaian perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive review was carried out, which yielded 16 sustainability indicators. Then, a questionnaire survey was conducted among respondents in the Ghanaian housing sector. Forty-seven valid responses were received and analysed using fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) technique.
Findings
A four-index model was developed that includes: Housing and Transportation (H + T) index, household-satisfaction index, efficient stakeholder-management index and quality-related index. These indices account for 25.3%, 26.3%, 23.6% and 24.9% of sustainability attainment in affordable housing, respectively. Accordingly, household-satisfaction has the greatest contribution to sustainability attainment in affordable housing.
Research limitations/implications
Due to challenges in obtaining responses to the questionnaire, the study was conducted with relatively small number of responses.
Originality/value
The model serves as a tool that could be used to objectively and comprehensively assess sustainability performance in affordable housing. Besides, it could be used as a baseline to calibrate future projects and for benchmarking success levels of comparable housing projects. Finally, the estimated indices are applicable in decision making for optimum resource allocation for sustainable low-cost housing in the Ghanaian perspective.
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This paper aims to understand the paradoxal development in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where economic growth was not accompanied by improved housing access. The period between the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the paradoxal development in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where economic growth was not accompanied by improved housing access. The period between the years 2003 and 2013 was characterized by a sustained economic growth with social inclusion and a great expansion of both social and private housing supply in the cities of Argentina. However, this growth was not accompanied by an improvement in the overall access to land and housing. On the contrary, the habitation problems in terms of access to formal, environmentally safe and well-located land with decent facilities have worsened. The City of Buenos Aires is one of the places where this paradox is most manifested.
Design/methodology/approach
The functioning of the land markets and the real estate development in Buenos Aires will be analyzed in the period 2003-2013 in relation to the macroeconomic context, the monetary effort for the acquisition and rent of a formal dwelling and certain logics of urban development.
Findings
The rhythm of urban land valorization continuously surpassed that of other commodities and services. The expansion of residential production did not improve the access to formal housing. On the contrary, habitation issues have worsened and conflicts concerning access to land, housing and the city have rapidly increased since 2003.
Originality/value
In a Latin American context, this paper is the first to establish a conceptual relationship based on empirical data between land price dynamics and real estate development. The paper is also original in its identification of a change in valorization rhythm and pattern of real estate development in the past decade (2003-2013).
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Xueqi Wang, Graham Squires and David Dyason
Homeownership for younger generations is exacerbated by the deterioration in affordability worldwide. As a result, the role of parental support in facilitating homeownership…
Abstract
Purpose
Homeownership for younger generations is exacerbated by the deterioration in affordability worldwide. As a result, the role of parental support in facilitating homeownership requires attention. This study aims to assess the influence of parental wealth and housing tenure as support mechanisms to facilitate homeownership for their children.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses data from a representative survey of the New Zealand population.
Findings
Parents who are homeowners tend to offer more financial support to their children than those who rent. Additionally, the financial support increases when parents have investment housing as well. The results further reveal differences in financial support when considering one-child and multi-child families. The intergenerational transmission of wealth inequality appears to be more noticeable in multi-child families, where parental housing tenure plays a dominant role in determining the level of financial support provided to offspring.
Originality/value
The insights gained serve as a basis for refining housing policies to better account for these family transfers and promote equitable access to homeownership.
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Hafirda Akma Musaddad, Selamah Maamor and Zairy Zainol
The purpose of this study paper is to highlight certain related barriers and issues of housing affordability and examine the factors that influence housing affordability in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study paper is to highlight certain related barriers and issues of housing affordability and examine the factors that influence housing affordability in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used panel data including several variables, namely, household expense, population, home financing, interest rate, inflation rate (IF) and rental rate (RR). The regression models of panel data, namely, the ordinary least square model, the fixed effects model and the random effects model, were evaluated for their suitability.
Findings
The findings revealed that RR and IF have a positive and significant impact towards housing affordability. The results provide strong evidence that RR as alternative in determining the home affordability as it helped in reducing the cost and the financing duration period of houses while at the same time increasing the level of capability of homeownership. Meanwhile, the level of IF has positive and significant impact towards housing affordability because it will cause a drop or increase in the purchasing power of households, as well as a decline or increase in the capability to own a house.
Research limitations/implications
The most significant aspects to consider when analysing housing affordability in Malaysia are demand and supply. However, this study focuses on only five variables and only covers Malaysia. As a result, future researchers should analyse the study’s location, such as by region or district, and include additional variables from both the demand and supply sides. Homeownership of affordability requires a broader and more realistic definition in the current context of a more disruptive environment where technology such as fintech, blockchain and the internet of things acts as enablers for not only promoting homeownership but also ensuring homeownership sustainability. As a result, democratising Islamic home financing appears to be a viable option that requires rethinking, and further research is recommended.
Practical implications
The study proposes an end-to-end solution to promote homeownership levels by considering the level of RR as significant variables among stakeholders such as the house buyers/owners, sellers, investors as well the government agencies in influencing affordability in Malaysia.
Originality/value
This paper discusses the indicators of housing affordability index over the 21-year period of 2000–2020, covering all states in Malaysia. The comparison of affordability level can be seen through all states and by regions. Besides that, the findings revealed that RR and IF have a positive and significant impact towards housing affordability. RR is considered an essential variable in promoting homeownership in Malaysia and warrants further investigation towards policy implication. This paper also provides contribution on data on RR by states in Malaysia that can be used by policymakers to some extent.
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The paper aims at analyzing trends and principal causes of developments in‐house prices in Malta over the past 26 years, with a specific focus on the issue of affordability. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims at analyzing trends and principal causes of developments in‐house prices in Malta over the past 26 years, with a specific focus on the issue of affordability. This focusing on the strong demand for home ownership and interest from foreign buyers, supply availability together with its relationship to the high vacancy rate existing. Also delved into include the distortions in the rental market, sustainable housing measures, housing densities and high‐rise developments. Finally, noted is the implication on the use of housing as an investment asset in relation to trading on Malta's Stock Exchange
Design/methodology/approach
A long‐term approach has been utilized to arrive at deductions. Comparisons undertaken taken mostly with small states.
Findings
The present global credit crunch can offer some relief with regard to housing affordability for first time Maltese home buyers. Updating of restricted home rentals can lead to an improved working for the Maltese property market, with some of the large proportion of vacant units being released onto the market.
Research limitations/implications
Based on data collected from National Statistics, together with data bases held in the practice of DHI Periti.
Practical implications
It derives projections for likely future developments in this context and in the light of this discusses some policy options.
Social implications
An improvement into the quality of life for Maltese households delved into, whilst providing measures for households not to fall below the poverty line also indicated.
Originality/value
Gives original views on projections for the housing affordability index, together with noting that a large vacant property market for the Mediterranean region possibly creates minimal damage to its proper functioning.
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João Fragoso Januário, Carlos Oliveira Cruz, Humberto Varum and Vítor Faria e Sousa
From the perspective of housing affordability, Portugal is an interesting case study, considering that Portugal ranks 5th in terms of price-to-income ratio and has experienced…
Abstract
Purpose
From the perspective of housing affordability, Portugal is an interesting case study, considering that Portugal ranks 5th in terms of price-to-income ratio and has experienced, since 2015, a significant increase in real estate prices.
Design/methodology/approach
The provision of housing is a critical social development factor. With the growing worldwide urbanization and the demand pressure over real estate in many cities, the problem of affordability has gained increase attention by policy makers. Housing affordability is hardly a new topic from a literature perspective, but the recent post-pandemic worldwide inflation growth has re-centered affordability as key topic in the housing agenda. This paper provides a comprehensive overview on past literature and a detailed analysis on the Portuguese market at the municipal level, by analyzing the changes in housing affordability in recent years.
Findings
Despite this growth, overall, affordability has improved. The study also shows the importance of municipal-level analysis, given the significant geographical differences. The authors' study confirms that many municipalities, outside metropolitan areas, exhibit low levels of affordability. Nevertheless, markets with higher average real estate values tend to exhibit even lower affordability, outpacing the higher levels of income.
Originality/value
Previous studies have focused on affordability issues on a national or highly aggregated level or focusing only on the two largest metropolitan areas in the country. This paper provides a deeper understanding on the inequalities of housing affordability between Portuguese municipalities.
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Chukwuma Christopher Nwuba, Iche U. Kalu and John A. Umeh
This paper aims to investigate homeownership affordability in Nigeria’s urban housing market to establish the determinants of households’ affordability outcomes, and the nature of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate homeownership affordability in Nigeria’s urban housing market to establish the determinants of households’ affordability outcomes, and the nature of their impact.
Design/methodology/approach
The cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of households selected through a stratified random technique across Kaduna State, the study area. The binary logistic regression was used to model the probability of homeownership affordability as a function of specified explanatory variables.
Findings
Household income, savings, construction period and education are determinants of homeownership affordability with positive impact. Conversely, household size, cost of land, building cost inflation, current rental housing expenditures, non-housing expenditures and building cost relative to income are determinants of affordability with negative impact.
Practical implications
The findings have the potential to provide a framework for formulation of policy measures to improve access to homeownership.
Social implications
Delayed access to homeownership places pressure on the rented sector with the potential for rental housing affordability problems. It is a deferment of the actualisation of a strong aspiration which is detrimental to individual and family well-being and stability.
Originality/value
The study extends the housing affordability debate to housing markets operating on informal financing where households build rather than buy their homes, an area hitherto not deeply explored. It provides empirical basis for problem-solving on housing affordability and can be a framework for housing policy reforms in Nigeria.
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Gary John Rangel, Jason Wei Jian Ng, Thangarajah Thiyagarajan Murugasu and Wai Ching Poon
The purpose of this paper is to measure the long-run housing affordability of Malaysia over time for households at various income levels and to demonstrate how short- and long-run…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to measure the long-run housing affordability of Malaysia over time for households at various income levels and to demonstrate how short- and long-run affordability measures can reach contradicting conclusions.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a long-run housing affordability index (HAI) for Malaysia was constructed for the sample period 1995 to 2014, using data from house prices and household incomes. The HAI was also modified to compute a mortgage affordability index (MAI) to account for intergenerational transfers.
Findings
The results show that households at the 25th income percentile cannot afford any of the four dwelling types in Malaysia. For households at the 40th income percentile and the median income levels, high-rise and terrace housing are affordable. However, significant downward trends in HAI and MAI are documented beginning 2009, which indicates increasing housing stress for households at or below the median income. The short-run affordability measure represented by the median multiple (MM) indicator showed bleaker conclusion for housing affordability, with all dwelling types considered unaffordable over the entire sample period
Practical implications
On the basis of the empirical results, this paper provided several long-term proposals to ameliorate the housing affordability problem in Malaysia.
Originality/value
With the MM ratio being the official affordability measure reported for Malaysia, this study introduces the nation’s first long-run housing affordability measure. It is hoped that this long-run measure will achieve widespread adoption in Malaysia. Given the deteriorating long-term affordability, this study offers several possible long-term solutions.
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