Housing Affordability as a driver of regional and individual inequalities
Created on 19-10-2023
The challenge is that in regions with high growth, housing costs (prices and rents) are often high relative to incomes, making housing affordable only for high-skilled workers. This can lead to severe problems for low-income workers, who may be displaced, marginalized, or forced to live in slums. There is debate about whether housing affordability problems are caused by supply-side factors (such as land scarcity and building regulations) or by the structure of the job market. However, it is clear that the housing system can play a significant role in perpetuating inequality. One way to mitigate the negative impact of housing affordability problems is to ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable housing. However, the effectiveness of this approach will depend on local housing policies.
System knowledge
Actors
Housing authorities
A government agency, usually at the municipal, county, or state level, provides and oversees various housing-related programmes and services.
National government
This actor represents the central governing body and authority responsible for overseeing and managing the affairs of a nation, including policymaking, legislation, and implementation within a certain geographic area.
Social housing provider
An entity, often a governmental or non-profit organisation, responsible for offering affordable housing options and related services to individuals or families in need within a community or society.
Policy makers
Policy makers are individuals or groups responsible for developing and implementing strategies, regulations, and initiatives aimed at addressing housing-related issues within a given region or jurisdiction. Their primary role is to create policies that influence housing affordability, accessibility, and quality, while also considering social, economic, and environmental factors.
Local authorities
Local authorities, also known as local governments or municipal governments, are administrative bodies responsible for governing and providing services to specific geographic areas, such as cities, towns, or counties. They manage local public affairs, infrastructure, and policies, and are accountable to the residents within their jurisdiction.
Method
Systems thinking
Systems thinking is an approach to understanding and solving complex problems that looks at the big picture and the interactions between the different parts of a system, rather than focusing on isolated components or events. It also considers the relationships and connections between these components to understand the system as a whole.
Policy reform
This refers to the process of making changes, revisions, or amendments to existing policies, laws, or regulations to improve their effectiveness, relevance, or desirability of outcomes.
Target knowledge
Topic
Housing policy
Housing policy refers to a set of rules, regulations, and government initiatives designed to address various aspects of housing, including affordability, accessibility, quality, and housing market stability. These policies are developed to guide and influence the housing sector to meet the housing needs of a specific population or region, and they can encompass a wide range of measures, from subsidies and zoning regulations to support for affordable housing and addressing homelessness.
Dimension
Social
This dimension relates to aspects influencing or impacting people, communities, and societal structures.
Governance
This involves networks, systems and processes that steer decision-making, service delivery and policy implementation.
Economic
Level
Municipal
This level refers to the local administrative or governmental unit, typically a city or town, responsible for local governance, services, and decision-making within a defined geographic area.
Neighborhood
Transformational knowledge
Policy
Regulation of financial markets
Policies and incentives to address the lack of housing
Collaboration between the public and private sectors