Affordable Public Housing Research Articles

Examining Relationships between Perceptions of Air Quality-Objectively Assessed Particulate Matter-And Health-Related Attributions among Midlife and Older Adults from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA.

This investigation explored (1) correlations between midlife and older adults' air quality perceptions with objective particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and diesel PM, and (2) correlations between air quality perceptions with health-related attributions among a sample of midlife and older adults (n = 66) living in or around senior affordable public housing sites in California's San Francisco Bay Area. The adapted air quality perception scale was used to measure perceptions of air quality, while health-related attributions were obtained from the vitality plus scale (VPS), with higher values indicating worse perceptions of air quality and poorer responses to health-related attributions, respectively. Self-reported data were linked to zip code level PM2.5 and diesel PM obtained from the CalEnviroScreen 4.0. All correlations were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlations. The mean (SD) age was 70.6 (9.1) years, and 75.7% were female. We observed moderate, positive correlations between both PM2.5 and diesel PM with three domains: perceptions related to protection measures against air quality, emotional/mental perceptions, and sensorial perceptions. We also found evidence of moderate, positive correlations between the domains of physical symptoms, perceptions related to protection measures against air quality, and emotional/mental perceptions with health-related attributions, such as sleep-related items and feelings of restlessness or agitation. Results from this exploratory study suggest that midlife and older adults' perceptions of air quality may be moderately related to both objective air quality data and certain health behaviors and symptoms. Findings underscore the importance of considering individual perceptions as an additional area in public health strategies aimed at protecting midlife and older adults from the impacts of air pollution.

Urbanization, Legacies of Elite Capture, and Multi-Dimensional Exclusions in Ghana: Towards Just Housing and Neighborhood Policies in African Cities

Persisting housing challenges in Africa’s cities are often theorized as driven by rapid demographic expansion outstripping housing supply or by the urbanization of poverty which puts the cost of adequate and serviced housing beyond the reach of many urban dwellers. This theorization links the problem of inadequate supply and low quality of housing to ahistorical, apolitical factors such as the size and income/poverty characteristics of Africa’s urban population and ignores legacies of elite capture and multi-dimensional exclusions reflected in policies and practices. Yet these policies and practices shape urban governance and who gains access to land, housing finance and ultimately serviced housing and neighborhoods. Drawing on a review of policies, media sources and literature on housing in Ghana and taking a critical postcolonial institutional theoretic approach, we argue that a more complete conceptualization of Africa’s urban housing crises should involve a close look at the regressive historical patterns of urban investments and persisting elite biases in institutions managing land, finance and housing. This re-framing of housing problems creates a more holistic framework and better articulates the unjust foundations of regressive and exclusionary policies and practices. Further, it highlights elite capture and multi-dimensional exclusions that perpetuate current housing and service failure in African cities. An explicit focus on power, exclusion and injustice is necessary to formulate and advocate alternative policies that are more likely to produce inclusive livable housing and neighborhoods. These include moratoriums on evictions, expanded slum upgrading, progressive property and land taxation, more inclusive planning systems, better regulation of rental housing and improved delivery of land and finance for transit oriented affordable public and rental housing.

Persistent environmental lead exposures disrupting black children’s neurodevelopment and quality of life trajectories: an under-recognized ACE in the hole

Persistent environmental lead exposures disrupting black children’s neurodevelopment and quality of life trajectories: an under-recognized ACE in the hole

Spatial Disparity and Residential Assessment of Housing Cost-Burdened Renters

With the expanding rental sector and rising housing expenses, this research aims to compare the socio-demographic, economic, and housing statuses of renters burdened by housing costs in four regions, and also to explore predictors affecting their residential assessment. Using data from the 2020 Korean Housing Survey, this cross-sectional study identified 245 cost-burdened households whose housing expenses accounted for more than 25% of their total gross income and living expenses. The results revealed that the majority of renters were single-person households residing in single-room occupancy units of multifamily housing, primarily comprising unemployed older adults aged 50 and over. While earning less than half of the minimum wage, the renters’ living expenses fell well below the minimum cost of living, and more than 40% of the expenditure was spent on housing costs, resulting in cost-overburdened households. With the correlation between income, deposit, and rent, the burden of housing costs and the quality of the residential environment varied among regions. Indeed, the residential assessment of the renters was significantly influenced by urban amenities, and both income deficits and excessive housing cost burdens required inclusive and prompt housing interventions including housing assistance, provision of affordable public housing, income transfer, and transitions from renting to Chonsei arrangements.

Decision support factors evaluative model for affordable PPP public housing delivery in Ghana

Purpose As public–private partnerships (PPPs) have become preferred and veritable approach to deliver affordable housing, the seemingly lack of understanding of the significant factors that impact on success has become a notable setback. This study aims to delineate significant factors that can support decisions in affordable PPP public housing delivery. Design/methodology/approach Largely, a questionnaire survey was adopted to elicit insights from practitioners, policymakers and experts to develop an evaluative decision support model using an analytical hierarchy process and multi-attribute utility technique approach. Further, an expert illustration was conducted to evaluate and validate the results on the housing typologies. Findings The results revealed that energy efficiency and low-cost green building materials scored the highest weighting of all the criteria. Furthermore, multi-storey self-contained flats were found to be the most preferred housing typology and were significantly influenced by these factors. From the model evaluation, the scores on the factors of sustainability, affordability, cultural values and accountability were consistent across all typologies of housing whereas that of benchmarking, governance and transparency were varied. Originality/value The decision support factors captured varied dimensions of key factors that impact on affordable PPP housing that have not been considered in an integrated manner. These findings offer objective and systematic support to decision-making in affordable PPP housing delivery.

Exploring the Perspectives of Stakeholders on Affordable Public Housing Delivery and Accessibility in Ghana

Exploring the Perspectives of Stakeholders on Affordable Public Housing Delivery and Accessibility in Ghana

Analysis of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Barriers to Affordable Public Housing Implementation in Ghana

Analysis of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Barriers to Affordable Public Housing Implementation in Ghana

Stakeholders’ readiness in implementing regulation on affordable public housing: a case study in Pemalang Regency, Central Java

The lengthy licensing stage is becoming a problem in low-income housing development. Stakeholders’ readiness plays an essential role in the success factor of low-income housing. This study aims to identify the stakeholders’ readiness for regional autonomy in terms of policy implementation according to the Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 55 of 2017 concerning Low-Income Housing in Pemalang Regency. The research method adopted the policy model by Edwards III and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The determination of the criteria in this study was divided into four criteria: communication (human and financial) resources, implementers’ disposition/behaviour, and bureaucratic structure. These four criteria were analysed using the AHP method on eight respondents from one of the institutions related to the licensing stage. The findings suggested five strategies that could improve programs to accelerate the provision of low-income housing. The order of priority for those five strategies is: (1) capacity building of local authority staff; (2) improvement of the bureaucratic system and licensing services; (3) sanctions for parties affecting the licensing service process; (4) provision and dissemination of information; and (5) revision of regulations (Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs).

청년층의 공공분양주택 선호 연구

In order to solve the housing problem of young people, the government announced a plan to supply public housing for sale that combine affordable housing prices and groundbreaking mortgage support. In this study, a survey was conducted to understand the young people's preference for the newly proposed public housing for sale, and the housing perception and demographic characteristics of young people who prefer public housing for sale were analyzed. In addition, through a survey on the policy direction and detailed conditions, it was intended to propose a model of public housing for sale that young people want. The results of analysis are summarized as follows. First, as a result of the survey, 49.8% of the respondents preferred public housing for sale, and such a high preference indicates the need to expand the supply of affordable public housing for sale. Second, since there are differences of opinion on the detailed conditions related to the benefits and restrictions of public housing for sale, it is necessary to set reasonable standards. Third, for young people with relatively lower assets, it is essential to provide cheonsei loans and public rental housing support to secure the current residential stability. Fourth, it is important to supply public housing with high-quality residential and educational environments for young people planning to marry and give birth. The results of the study are meaningful in that they clarify whether public housing for sale can serve as an alternative to solving the housing problem of young people, and present guidelines such as policy direction and detailed conditions.

Housing Tenure of Older Asian Minorities in Hong Kong

One of the major motivations to pursue dreams in a host country is to have a better living, especially for later-life well-being. Since homeownership is an indicator of social status, integration and security, this paper examines the housing tenure of older Asian minorities in an Asian global city. This article compares the housing tenure of older Asian minority immigrants with that of natives and their likelihood of living in public rental units, subsidized sales flats or private housing. While 28.95% and 18.38% of natives were living in public rental housing and subsidized sales flats respectively, the corresponding shares for Asian minorities stood at 34.84% and 19.38%. After controlling for personal characteristics, Asian minorities have the highest likelihood of living in public housing. Among the immigrant population, Asian minorities were more likely to be living in public housing but less likely to be owner-occupiers. The public housing policy of Hong Kong treats natives and immigrants equally. As private housing owner-occupiers enjoy a higher social status, most Asian minorities were not very successful in climbing the social ladder. However, they can stay in affordable public rental housing which enables them a reasonable later-life well-being in the least affordable city. To win in this global war for talent, the government is encouraged to introduce more measures to attract international talent.

It Is Time to Rethink Adult Glaucoma Screening Recommendations.

It Is Time to Rethink Adult Glaucoma Screening Recommendations.

Renting versus Home Ownership: An Investigation of Affordability of Government Housing for Young Guyanese Professionals in Guyana

The main thrust of this study is to investigate whether or not there is a lack of affordable public housing being offered in the Georgetown and East Bank demographics of Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) to young Guyanese professionals and if this perceived lack is driving them to rent alternative housing instead. It also investigates this cohort’s willingness to pay the price for which public housing (turnkey) is being offered, and their frame of mind concerning homeownership of public housing.

"Halfway Independent": Experiences of formerly homeless adults living in permanent supportive housing.

Permanent supportive housing (PSH), which combines affordable public housing with social services, has become the dominant model in the United States for providing housing to formerly homeless people. PSH has been effective in reducing re-entry to homelessness, yet has shown limited evidence of improving formerly homeless individuals' mental health and quality of life. This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of formerly homeless adults' adjustment to tenancy in PSH, with a focus on how living in PSH has affected their meaningful activity and social engagement. Based on a phenomenological approach, a thematic analysis was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 17 individuals living in three PSH buildings in New York City. Results suggested that PSH was beneficial in fulfilling formerly homeless individual's basic needs and facilitating lifestyle improvements, yet many were dissatisfied with their living conditions and lacked meaningful activity, social integration, and community belongingness. These issues were found to develop in large part as a result of formerly homeless individuals' disharmonious relationships within the social context of PSH, consisting of staff members, other residents, and people in the surrounding community. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for PSH social services are discussed.

Testing the effectiveness of community-engaged citizen science to promote physical activity, foster healthier neighborhood environments, and advance health equity in vulnerable communities: The Steps for Change randomized controlled trial design and methods

While low-income midlife and older adults are disproportionately affected by non-communicable diseases that can be alleviated by regular physical activity, few physical activity programs have been developed specifically with their needs in mind. Those programs that are available typically do not address the recognized local environmental factors that can impact physical activity. The specific aim of the Steps for Change cluster-randomized controlled trial is to compare systematically the initial (one-year) and sustained (two-year) multi-level impacts of an evidence-based person-level physical activity intervention (Active Living Every Day [ALED] and age-relevant health education information), versus the ALED program in combination with a novel neighborhood-level citizen science intervention called Our Voice. The study sample (N = 300) consists of insufficiently active adults ages 40 years and over living in or around affordable senior public housing settings. Major study assessments occur at baseline, 12, and 24 months. The primary outcome is 12-month change in walking, and secondary outcomes include other forms of physical activity, assessed via validated self-report measures supported by accelerometry, and physical function and well-being variables. Additional intervention impacts are assessed at 24 months. Potential mediators and moderators of intervention success will be explored to better determine which subgroups do best with which type of intervention. Here we present the study design and methods, including recruitment strategies and yields. Trial registrationclinicaltrial.gov Identifier = NCT03041415

Public housing, market rentals, and neighbourhood characteristics

Market‐based rentals are increasingly prioritized as the tenure type through which to provide housing assistance to low‐income households: it is argued that public housing places tenants in neighbourhoods with concentrated poverty, while the private sector is purported to offer households the opportunity to live in locations with less disadvantage. We test this assumption through a case study of a Nova Scotian municipality. Using chi‐square tests to examine associations between housing type and neighbourhood deprivation, we find that while 47% of public units are located in places with high social and economic deprivation, one‐third of market rentals are located in neighbourhoods with similar characteristics. In addition, in looking at the location of lower‐cost market units in particular, we find limited differences in the neighbourhood characteristics in which these more affordable rentals and public housing are found. We argue for the importance of connecting policy and programming to place‐based community development and poverty‐reduction strategies to support low‐income households.

Public Housing in the Global Cities: Hong Kong and Singapore at the Crossroads

Affordable Housing, the basic human necessity has now become a critical problem in global cities with direct impacts on people's well-being. While a well-functioning housing market may augment the economic efficiency and productivity of a city, it may trigger housing affordability issues leading crucial economic and political crises side by side if not handled properly. In global cities e.g. Singapore and Hong Kong where affordable housing for all has become one of the greatest concerns of the Government, this issue can be tackled capably by the provision of public housing. In Singapore, nearly 90% of the total population lives in public housing including public rental and subsidized ownership, whereas the figure tally only about 45% in Hong Kong. Hence this study is an effort to scrutinizing the key drivers of success in affordable public housing through following a qualitative case study based research methodological approach to present successful experience and insight from different socio-economic and geo-political context. As a major intervention, this research has clinched that, housing affordability should be backed up by demand-side policies aiming to help occupants and proprietors to grow financial capacity e.g. subsidized rental and subsidized ownership can be an integral part of the public housing system to improve housing affordability.

A project management method for public housing rehabilitation focusing on the type of rights and the division of roles of the entities

Affordable public housing is an issue all nations grapple with, it is made more difficult as a one-size-fits-all solution rarely works. Each local community has different needs, different people and different levels of income. Ideally, having a solution that local governments can adapt to their particular situation and constituents is the best approach. Professor Shin Murakami and Professor Norie Kawano have spent 20 years studying the renovation of apartments and housing complexes around the world, with the intention that the data gathered can lead to shared knowledge to help solve common problems associated with multi-family houses and housing complexes.

Households’ acceptance of affordable Islamic public-private housing co-operative model (IPHCM) in Malaysia

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the determinants influencing low- and middle-income households in accepting the Islamic public-private housing co-operative model (IPHCM) as an alternative to contemporary affordable public housing models in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachUsing self-administrated questionnaires, data are collected from low- and middle-income households dwelling in Programme Perumahan Rakyat projects in Kuala Lumpur and the state of Selangor. The study used the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and used the partial least squares technique to examine the proposed hypothesised relationships.FindingsThe findings of this study suggest that subjective norm and perceived consumer religiosity is the most influential determinants affecting the behavioural intention of low- and middle-income households in accepting the IPHCM model. Attitude had a significantly positive relationship with households’ behavioural intentions towards accepting the IPHCM model.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can serve as a guideline for policymakers to understand the behavioural intention of low- and middle-income households in accepting newly developed models in affordable public housing space.Originality/valueBehavioural aspects regarding the acceptance of affordable public housing models in Malaysia have yet to be profoundly explored in the literature. This study has extended the TPB by incorporating perceived consumer religiosity, in the affordable public housing domain, to analyse its effects on households’ acceptance of the IPHCM model.

Developing metro-based accessibility: Three aspects of China’s Rail+Property practice

Populous Chinese cities have invested heavily in metro systems and planned proactively for transit-oriented development. Rail plus property (R+P) programs, where metro corporations engage in, and even orchestrate real estate development in or around rail station areas, have been recurrently reported among these cities. However, careful assessment of these programs is still rare in the existing literature. Built upon multiple R+P programs led by Shenzhen Metro Cooperation and/or Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway Cooperation, this article fathoms the rationale for R+P programs in Mainland China, the obstacles for oversea private investors’ participation and the balance between profit making and social goods supply. It finds that R+P programs serve as alternative funding sources for expensive metro projects. It decreases municipal governments’ cash flow contribution to those projects, which is mandated by the central government. In addition, local business environment for R+P projects has disadvantaged private sector participation, especially those private investors from overseas. Furthermore, public subsidy to local metro corporations is likely to persist as R+P programs have not been designed for economic value maximization; rather, they are in place because (1) they reduce the cash flow burden of the municipal government; (2) they are tasked by the municipal government to produce a considerable number of affordable public housing.

Effects of the Transport Support Scheme on employment and commuting patterns among public rental housing residents in Hong Kong

Since 1973, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) government has succeeded in decentralizing its population from the overcrowded urban area to the satellite towns. During this time, many low-income people had also relocated to the new satellite towns for affordable public rental housing (“PRH”) where originally the government expected manufacturing factories in urban areas to relocate there during suburbanisation. However, instead, the factories mostly moved to Mainland China, while service jobs still clustered at the central business districts in Hong Kong, resulting in “Spatial Mismatch” between jobs and residents in the new towns. Poor people living in PRH may suffer from high travel costs for remote job opportunities and are thus more likely to be unemployed than their urban counterparts. To tackle this problem, in 2007, the HKSAR government launched the Transport Support Scheme (“TSS”) that provides transport allowance to job seekers and low-income employees in the four remote districts to encourage cross-district employment. In this study, the effectiveness of this scheme in reducing unemployment and extending the commuting distances for job opportunities for the PRH residents are evaluated. A difference-in-difference model is used to compare the probabilities of being unemployed and the commuting distances between residents in the eligible and the non-eligible areas before and after the launch of the TSS. It is observed that the TSS has significantly decreased the probability of unemployment among the PRH residents living in the four eligible districts, especially among the young and middle-aged male residents. Conditional upon employment, the TSS also increased cross-district employment among the middle-aged female residents. This study provides strong evidence on the effectiveness of the TSS and casts practical implications for transport support policies in compact cities that heavily rely on their public transport system.