Housing Environment Research Articles

Influences of quality of maternal care and environmental enrichment on associative memory function in rats with early life lead exposure.

Children in low socioeconomic status (SES) communities are at higher risk of exposure to lead (Pb) and potentially more severe adverse outcomes from Pb exposures. While the factors encompassing SES are complex, low SES households often have less enriching home environments and parent-child interactions. This study investigated the extent to which environmental/behavioral factors (quality of maternal care and richness of the postnatal environment) may modify adverse effects from Pb exposure. Long-Evans female rats were randomly assigned to Control (no Pb), Early Postnatal (EPN: birth through weaning), or Perinatal (PERI: 14 days pre-mating through weaning) Pb exposure groups. From postnatal days (PNDs) 2-9, maternal care behaviors were observed, and dams were classified as low or high maternal care based on amounts of licking/grooming and arched back nursing. At weaning, pups were randomly assigned to enriched or non-enriched environments. At PND 55, animals began trace fear conditioning and associative memory was tested on days 1, 2, and 10 postconditioning. Control offspring showed no significant effects of maternal care or enrichment on task performance. Females with EPN-Pb exposure and males with PERI-Pb exposure living in the non-enriched environment and having an LMC mother had significant memory impairments at days 2 and 10 that were not observed in comparably housed animals with HMC mothers. Enriched animals had no deficits, regardless of maternal care status. These results show the potential for modulatory influences of maternal care and housing environment on protecting against or reversing at least one aspect of Pb-induced cognitive/behavioral dysfunction.

제주지역 노인의 지역사회 계속거주에 미치는 영향요인 연구

This study examined the factors influencing Aging-in-Place(AIP) in older adults in the Jeju region. Also, the study tried to find supporting ways of AIP for older adults. The study used data from the 2020 Ministry of Health and Welfare Survey on Korea Older Adults and analyzed 375 cases of older adults in Jeju. The influencing factors of AIP consisted of functional, structural, phenomenological, and ecological factors. The main results are as follows: First, 98.2% of older adults in a healthy situation chose AIP, but this number drops to 59.5% when their health becomes weak and unhealthy. Second, the factors influencing the AIP of older adults in the Jeju area were age as a functional factor, household type and economic satisfaction as a structural factor, housing and residential environment satisfaction variables with a phenomenological factor, and satisfaction with neighborhood relationships as an ecological factor. Based on the above results, this study suggested the policy to support older adults in the Jeju area as they lead their daily lives and face old age. In particular, the willingness to AIP decreases significantly when the health of older people in the Jeju region deteriorates; the study emphasized and discussed the importance of creating a residential environment.

Tracking dustbathing behavior of cage-free laying hens with machine vision technologies

Dustbathing (DB) is a functionally important maintenance behavior in birds that clean plumage, realigns feather structures, removes feather lipids, which helps to remove parasites and prevents feathers from becoming too oily. Among different natural behaviors birds perform in cage-free (CF) housing, DB is one of the important behavior related to bird welfare. Earlier studies have identified DB behavior using manual method such as counting number of DB bouts, and duration of DB bouts from video recordings. The manual detection of DB behavior is time-consuming, sometimes prone to errors, and have limitations. Therefore, an automated precision monitoring method is needed to detect DB behavior in laying hens from an early age in CF housing environment. The objectives of this study were to (1) develop and test a deep learning model for detecting DB behavior and find out the optimal model; and (2) assess the performance of the optimal model in detecting DB behavior at different growing phases. In this study, deep learning models, i.e., YOLOv7-DB, YOLOv7x-DB, YOLOv8s-DB and YOLOv8x-DB, networks, were developed, trained, and compared in tracking DB behavior in 4 CF rooms each with 200 hens (W-36 Hy-Line). Results indicate that the YOLOv8x-DB model outperform all other models on detecting DB behavior with a precision of 93.4%, recall of 91.20%, and mean average precision (mAP@0.50) of 93.70%. All models performed with over 90% detection precision; however, model performance was affected by equipment like drinking lines, perches, and feeders. Based on the optimal model (YOLOv8x-DB), DB detection precision was highest during grower phase (precision of 96.80%, recall of 97.10%, mAP@0.50 of 98.60%, and mAP@0.50-0.95 of 79.10% followed by prelay, layers, developer, and peaking phases. This study provides a reference for poultry and egg producers that DB behavior can be detected automatically with precision of at least 89% or more using optimal model at any growing phase of laying hens.

Impact of weed control methods and staking on the growth, yield, and weed response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Kano, Sudan Savanna, Nigeria

Cucumber growing is becoming increasingly popular in Nigeria's Sudan savanna region due to its health benefits and minimal impact on the soil. However, weed infestation is a major challenge that can significantly reduce yields, by up to 45-95%. In view of this, two trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and the net house of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture of the Bayero University Kano to examine the effects of weed control and staking on cucumbers during the 2021 dry season. The trial consisted of eight weed control treatments and two staking methods which were arranged in a split plot design with three replicates, with staking assigned to the main plot while weed control was assigned to the sub plots. The study analyzed data on growth and yield, using Genstat (17th edition) and significantly different means were separated using the Student Newman-Keuls Test (SNK) at a 5% level of probability. Results showed a higher composition of grass and broadleaf weeds in open fields compared to controlled net house environments. Weed Control Efficiency (WCE) was greater in weed-free plots, but Butachlor and metolachlor significantly outperformed other treatments, providing higher WCE. The herbicidal treated plots significantly resulted in longer days to 50% emergence than other treatments, while it also resulted in a shorter number of days to 50% flowering and fruiting than weedy check. The vine length, number of leaves, leaf area, and chlorophyll content were highly significant (p<0.01) in weed free, butachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 post emergence ( POE) and metolachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 POE. Similarly, yield and yield attributes followed the same pattern as obtained in growth components. Staking of vines on the other hand significantly resulted in greater growth and yield of cucumber. Based on these findings, farmers in the study area are advised to grow cucumber staked with the application of Butachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 POE and metolachlor at 1.5 + Imazethapyr 1.5 kg a.i.ha-1 POE for sustainable weed management.

Urban sustainability in social housing environments: A spatial impact assessment in Bogotá, Colombia

As cities adapt to the challenges of rapid urbanization, sustainable development goals, and post-pandemic realities, understanding the intricacies of urban sustainability is vital. This study presents a spatial impact assessment of urban sustainability, focusing on the distinctive requirements of social housing urban environments in Bogota, Colombia. By contextualizing this study in the ever-evolving post-pandemic paradigm, it depicts the current conditions of the city towards future development scenarios. The sustainability assessment relies on a set of 11 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), emphasizing the particular needs of social housing and offering a comprehensive analysis that links the conditions of the urban environment, environmental quality, and social well-being, all under the umbrella of Sustainable Development Goal 11. Specific spatial analysis using GIS tools (e.g. spatial interpolation, network analysis, multispectral imagery analysis), statistical analysis, and data engineering were employed to evaluate the selected KPIs. This evaluation revealed distinct spatial patterns of socioeconomic inequity, primarily impacting areas with a higher concentration of social housing within the city. These findings highlight critical areas requiring strategic attention to promote the city's sustainability transition. Key insights indicate that areas lacking sufficient access to green spaces and essential urban services, alongside higher pollution levels, are associated with lower social well-being, reduced perceptions of security, and are characterized by high population density and a significant presence of social housing. These results, available on an interactive web-GIS app, underscore the imperative for policies and planning that not only address the provision of social housing but also ensure a sustainable built environment, shaping a sustainable, inclusive, safe, and resilient future. The methodology and insights presented in this study are also applicable and scalable to similar urban contexts globally.

Assessing LDPE microplastics' impact on green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) cultivation: A greenhouse pot experiment

Plastic pollution, particularly from microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat to agricultural ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics on green gram (Vigna radiata) cultivation, focusing on growth, yield, and soil nutrient dynamics. A completely randomized design with nine treatments of varying LDPE concentrations was used in a controlled poly house environment. Soil analysis assessed mechanical and physico-chemical properties using established methods. Green gram variety Co (Gg) 8 was cultivated during the Rabi season, with comprehensive crop management including germination tests, pot culture preparations, precise fertilizer application, and essential cultural operations. Results indicated significant correlations between LDPE concentrations and green gram growth parameters, with higher concentrations having detrimental effects (correlation coefficient = −0.75, p < 0.05). LDPE treatments also influenced plant nutrient uptake, showing inverse correlations with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake (correlation coefficient = −0.82, p < 0.01). Post-harvest soil analysis revealed significant variations in available nutrients, with LDPE-treated soils exhibiting higher N, P, and K levels compared to control groups (correlation coefficient = 0.78, p < 0.01). Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of LDPE microplastics in soil and plant samples, identified by characteristic (CO) and (C–H) stretching vibrations. These findings highlight the complex interactions between LDPE microplastics and agricultural systems, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices to mitigate the adverse effects of plastic pollution on agriculture. Statistical analysis using the CRD framework and correlation and regression analyses ensured robust interpretation of the data.

Perancangan Rangka Tandon Air Berkapasitas 1200 Liter Untuk Kebutuhan Pelaku Usaha Rumah Kost

The increasing public interest in the need for adequate housing, especially the boarding house business, is one of the facilities that has great opportunities every year. The need for clean water in a boarding house environment is a factor that needs to be considered because clean water is an important need in human life. The water reservoir frame design with a capacity of 1200 liters is an optimized solution to meet the daily water needs of boarding house residents. The aim of this research is to design a water reservoir frame for water loads and carry out structural calculations of the water reservoir frame in accordance with applicable safety and strength standards. The research methodology explains in detail the research method which includes time and place of research, tools and materials, research procedures and research flow diagrams. Weight of load to be supported by the structure = weight of tank + weight of water Specify tank Type = Penguin TB, 120 uk Capacity = 1200 Liters = 1.2 m3 Tank mass (mT) = 29 kg Total mass of external load (mtot) = tank mass + water mass Mtot= 29 kg + 1200 kg = 1229 kg Total weight (Wtot) Wtot = (mtot) × g, g= acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2) Kata kunci: Water discharge, Frame Strength, Structural Strength, Steel Selection, Water Reservoir

The Design of Security Device for a Simple House Environment Based on Raspberry Pi

The Design of Security Device for a Simple House Environment Based on Raspberry Pi

Low-cost, portable, easy-to-use kiosks to facilitate home-cage testing of nonhuman primates during vision-based behavioral tasks.

Nonhuman primates (NHPs), especially rhesus macaques, have significantly contributed to our understanding of the neural computations underlying human vision. Besides the established homologies in the visual brain areas between these species and our ability to probe detailed neural mechanisms in monkeys at multiple scales, NHPs' ability to perform human-like visual behavior makes them an extremely appealing animal model of human vision. Traditionally, such behavioral studies have been conducted in controlled laboratory settings, offering experimenters tight control over variables like luminance, eye movements, and auditory interference. However, in-lab experiments have several constraints, including limited experimental time, the need for dedicated human experimenters, additional lab space requirements, invasive surgeries for headpost implants, and extra time and training for chairing and head restraints. To overcome these limitations, we propose adopting home-cage behavioral training and testing of NHPs, enabling the administration of many vision-based behavioral tasks simultaneously across multiple monkeys with reduced human personnel requirements, no NHP head restraint, and monkeys' unrestricted access to experiments. In this article, we present a portable, low-cost, easy-to-use kiosk system developed to conduct home-cage vision-based behavioral tasks in NHPs. We provide details of its operation and build to enable more open-source development of this technology. Furthermore, we present validation results using behavioral measurements performed in the lab and in NHP home cages, demonstrating the system's reliability and potential to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of NHP behavioral research.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Training nonhuman primates (NHPs) for vision-based behavioral tasks in a laboratory setting is a time-consuming process and comes with many limitations. To overcome these challenges, we have developed an affordable, open-source, wireless, touchscreen training system that can be placed in the NHPs' housing environment. This system enables NHPs to work at their own pace. It provides a platform to implement continuous behavioral training protocols without major experimenter intervention and eliminates the need for other standard practices like NHP chair training, collar placement, and head restraints. Hence, these kiosks ultimately contribute to animal welfare and therefore better-quality neuroscience in the long run. In addition, NHPs quickly learn complex behavioral tasks using this system, making it a promising tool for wireless electrophysiological research in naturalistic, unrestricted environments to probe the relation between brain and behavior.

Profiling of bacterial community’s dynamics inhibiting the intestinal tract of broiler chickens growing in naturally ventilated house

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the relative abundance of gastrointestinal microbial structures in different gut sections of Cobb500 broiler chickens reared in naturally ventilated houses and fed a standard diet for 35 days under the ambient environment of Oman. In this research, sequences from 1,179,068 16S rDNA analyses were grouped into 253 operational taxonomic units with a sequence similarity threshold of 97%. These units revealed the presence of seven phyla and twenty-six families. Firmicutes were found to be the dominant phylum in the duodenum (96.4%), jejunum (88.8%), ileum (96.8%), and cecum (96.8%). In contrast, Tenericutes and Thermi were the least prevalent phyla across these gut regions, accounting for between 0.01% and 0.12% of the total sequences. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria showed higher prevalence in the cecum (accounted for 6.59%, 7.42%, and 7.50%, respectively) than in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Lactobacillaceae were notably observed as the predominant family in the four gut segments, accounting for 73.87% in the duodenum, 43.30% in the jejunum, 77.81% in the ileum, and 46.30% in the caecum, collectively comprising a substantial portion of the sequencing data. Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae emerged as dominant families, comprising 28.61% and 30.8% of the sequencing data across all four intestinal sections, respectively. Statistical analysis of the 16S rDNA libraries showed that each section of the intestine contains a unique bacterial community with an increase in bacterial diversity parallel to age increase. The study's findings reveal the temporal dynamics of the chicken's gut microbiota in a naturally ventilated housing environment. The results obtained provide a unique perspective on the diversity of bacterial communities, highlighting significant differences in microbial composition across different segments of the intestine and offering practical insights for the management of broiler chicken health.

Laboratory measurement of treadmill noise under several speeds, runners, and floor coverings

Treadmills are an important generator of noise in the retail fitness and multi-family housing environments. Field studies have demonstrated that treadmills have a low-frequency sound characteristic, and treadmill use can lead to neighboring-occupant annoyance and necessitate consideration in building design and space planning. This work presents sound level measurements of a treadmill in operation to report sound levels and the effect of runner speed, runner cadence, and floor covering. Tests were conducted on an elevated 6-inch concrete slab in a vertical laboratory setting, and results are in terms of measured SPL in the lower room. Runner speed and floor covering were confirmed to be relevant variables in sound levels due to treadmill noise. Spectral shapes in multiple tests were found to be similar despite presence and composition of floor covering. Results on the effect of runner cadence are not conclusive. SPL was lower than expected due to the relatively stiff structural floor, and future testing should continue to pursue higher source levels.

The Future Is Not Bright: Evaluation of Rat Preferences for Color and Intensity of Light.

Light is a key factor influencing the welfare of laboratory rodents, but little is known about their optimal lighting condition. It i common knowledge that rats prefer dim light, so bright light is mitigated with red-tinted shelters or cages, which alter both the color and intensity of light. Because both aspects are altered, the contribution of each feature to rodent preference is unknown. Further, it is unknown if this preference is influenced by previous experience. We hypothesized that rats would prefer lower light intensity and that their preferences would be influenced by their housing environment. Breeder pairs of rats were randomly separated into four treatments groups: red 200 lux, red 25 lux, clear 200 lux, and clear 25 lux. The breeders' offspring were tested three times in an apparatus that offered access to each environment, and their preferences were analyzed. Generally, the rats preferred the lower-lux environments and showed no color preference. However, the rats from the clear, 200 lux cages, preferred clear caging and only showed a preference for 25 lux conditions during the second and third preference tests. These results suggest that the light intensity, more than color, should be considered when designing rodent housing and testing facilities.

Temporal variation characteristics of microbial aerosols in the goose house environment

ABSTRACT 1. Preventing disease is important in poultry production systems, but this has mainly been studied in chickens. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of microbial aerosols in intensive goose house environments. 2. To evaluate the environmental quality of geese housing, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was collected using an ambient air particulate matter sampler. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyse bacterial diversity and relative abundance. Results showed that the number of general and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were 1,578 and 19 112 in all PM2.5 samples. Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Acidobacterota were the four most abundant phyla in PM2.5. 3. Compared with bacterial phyla in the PM2.5 from chicken houses, those in the genus Acidobacterota were increased in goose housing. There are various genera of bacteria present in PM2.5, and their composition was similar across different samples. No significant change was observed in the diversity of microbiota in the PM2.5, although multiple pathogenic bacteria were detected. 4. A prediction function showed that a variety of bacterial phyla correlated positively with the human diseases. 5. In summary, the microbial aerosols in the goose shed pose significant risks to the health of the geese. Regular monitoring of the composition of microbial aerosols is important for the healthy growth of geese and disease prevention and control.

Behaviours of farmed saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) housed individually or in groups.

Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are farmed in Australia primarily for their skins and meat. Commercially, they are raised in group pens as hatchlings and grower crocodiles and then moved to unitised (individual) pens for the final finishing stage when they are several years old. They will exhibit aggressive behaviour towards each other in captivity. Unitised pens can prevent animal injury and teeth marks on the skins but may result in other social restrictions. Research into behavioural housing preferences could assist the industry and inform the process of guideline development for optimal crocodile management and welfare. This study assessed the impacts of two housing systems, unitised or group pens, in 20 commercial finishing crocodiles through measuring behavioural profiles of individuals from video recordings, including housing preference when given a choice. Both pens included water and an above-water shelf, but the crocodiles in unitised pens could also access underneath the shelf. A threat perception test was applied to assess anxiety when housed individually or in groups. However, it was difficult to apply a standardised stimulus to all animals that reliably elicited a behavioural response. Further work would be needed to validate this test for commercial reptiles as the outcomes were not robust. The behavioural observation results showed clear differences in where the crocodiles spent their time across the day and in their activity levels between the pen types. However, interpretation of this variation was confounded by the physical and social differences between the pen types given the inconsistency in shelf access. Behaviours exhibited also differed given there were social opportunities in the group pens where individuals were observed engaged in both aggressive and non-aggressive contact interactions. In the free choice environment, crocodiles spent similar amounts of time in both unitised and group pens, suggesting there were features of both pen types that were attractive to the animals. However, skins were damaged from teeth marks highlighting the physical and economical risks of group housing. Further work could validate behavioural tests to quantify affective state impacts in different housing environments and whether social interactions do provide benefits for improving crocodile welfare.

Swine farm environmental microbiome: exploring microbial ecology and functionality across farms with high and low sanitary status.

Stringent regulations in pig farming, such as antibiotic control and the ban on certain additives and disinfectants, complicate disease control efforts. Despite the evolution of microbial communities inside the house environment, they maintain stability over the years, exhibiting characteristics specific to each type of production and, in some cases, unique to a particular company or farm production type. In addition, some infectious diseases are recurrent in specific farms, while other farms never present these diseases, suggesting a connection between the presence of these microorganisms in animals or their environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterise environmental microbiomes of farms with high and low sanitary status, establishing the relationships between both, health status, environmental microbial ecology and its functionality. For this purpose, 6 pig farms were environmentally sampled. Farms were affiliated with a production company that handle the majority of the pigs slaughtered in Spain. This study investigated the relationship among high health and low health status farms using high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In addition, to identify ecologically relevant functions and potential pathogens based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained, functional Annotation with PROkaryotic TAXa (FAPROTAX) was performed. This study reveals notable differences in microbial communities between farms with persistent health issues and those with good health outcomes, suggesting a need for protocols tailored to address specific challenges. The variation in microbial populations among farms underscores the need for specific and eco-friendly cleaning and disinfection protocols. These measures are key to enhancing the sustainability of livestock farming, ensuring safer products and boosting competitive edge in the market.

A REVIEW ON SUSTAINABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN INDIA: ONE STEP TO BUILD A GOOD ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT

Affordable housing, economic growth, and environmental protection are India's urban development priorities. The housing sector of India holds the third largest position among other industries. India needs inexpensive, sustainable housing for economic and environmental reasons. The definition of affordable housing has been discussed as given by the government schemes and authorities. Urbanisation, infrastructure, and housing shortages affect India's housing business. According to a government technical study from 2011, there was an 18.76-million-unit shortfall in metropolitan areas, with 96% of those units belonging to EWS and LIG. However, it doesn’t consider nondurable and rental houses, which further increases the housing demand. To address such issues, the central government has launched various sustainable affordable housing policies to integrate sustainability, affordability, and inclusion into architecture and construction. ‘Housing for all’ is one of the government schemes launched in June 2015 which promotes affordable housing and technology in the sector. Housing and allied industries play a significant role to boost GDP, jobs, and communities. Energy-efficient technology, waste management, green spaces, and sustainable building reduce housing developments' environmental impact. These activities reduce carbon emissions and strengthen urban climate change resilience, saving the environment. The research stresses social inclusion to provide affordable housing to low-income, women, and vulnerable people. Housing inclusivity promotes equity in the society. India's sustainable, affordable housing schemes are analysed, and gaps are identified. Public-private partnerships, subsidies, and governments encourage sustainable housing. Finally, affordable housing benefits India's economy and environment. This study underlines the necessity to incorporate economic, environmental, and social factors into housing laws and practices to solve India's housing crisis. It further mentions Sustainable, affordable housing will boost India's economy, environment, and the quality of life holistically.

‘Stakeholder Perceptions’ of the Impacts of Climatic Features on Residents and Residences: A UK Study

Liveable housing environments face the menace of global climate change. Built infrastructure (including buildings and houses) continuously experiences significant impacts that are exacerbated by natural variability in the climate. Our study examined how climate change impacts the resilience of residential buildings, increases maintenance frequency, and the wellbeing and comfort of residents in UK residential buildings. This study used deductive reasoning and an empirical epistemological methodology as the basis of primary data collection via a questionnaire survey. The instrument was designed to gather data on the frequency of maintenance and the wellbeing of residents and their perceptions regarding the impacts of climate change. Through regression analysis of the data, the findings showed a significant relationship between climate change and the wellbeing of the occupants of UK residential buildings. Also, physical wellbeing and social wellbeing are more important to the occupants than their mental wellbeing. The cost of maintenance of residential buildings in the UK has an upward trajectory due to the continuously reducing resilience of building fabrics caused by the impacts of climate change; for instance, a recent increase in rainfall/storms resulted in unprecedented flooding, which damaged the fabrics of some UK residential buildings.

Pemanfaatan Microsoft To Do Sebagai Penunjang Work Life Balance Bagi Ibu Bekerja

Maintaining a balance between their professional and personal lives can be difficult for working mothers in the modern era. Working mothers at the Karya Mulya Housing Complex receive significant benefits from using this application, which increases their efficiency and productivity. The main objective of this activity is to encourage the achievement of work-life balance for working mothers, by providing effective tools to organise their tasks. Through a hands-on approach and direct instruction, participants are directed to optimise their use of Microsoft To Do, reduce tension, and allocate their time between household and work obligations more effectively. This journal presents an overview of the implementation of Microsoft To Do introduction activities, details the positive reactions from participants, and highlights the anticipated impact in supporting the life balance of working mothers in the Karya Mulya Housing environment. Thus, this journal provides insight into real efforts to facilitate increased productivity and quality of life for mothers who perform dual roles as family members and workers

Determinants of Home Ownership Among the Urbanites in Melaka

Over the past few years, the real estate market has been unbalanced in terms of supply and demand when supply exceeds demand, especially in urban areas. Although there is a high demand for affordable housing, the issue of house dumping is still a public debate. The difficulty of owning a house has always been a public issue debated by the government and the private sector in finding a solution for all stakeholders. With the current economic situation, buying a house is almost impossible due to the drastic increase in house prices in urban areas. In reality, urban communities need affordable housing to overcome the problem of renting a house, where the cost of renting is increasing. This study aims to identify whether factors such as market price, socio-economics, and community well-being affect home ownership, especially in Melaka urban areas. Data and information were obtained from house renters in some selected housing estates. The data collected from questionnaires was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 23 and Microsoft Excel software. The regression analysis method was employed for this study. The study results found that the increase in house prices affects the residents' ownership in the city, even though the demand for houses is always there. Design factors, types, and comfortable spaces are still the choices of today's home buyers. Socio-economic development factors also affect the demand of urban communities that choose housing estates near the city because of easy access, available infrastructure, and stunning green surroundings. The community well-being factor is a determining factor in the urban community's choice of a community-friendly environment and guaranteed security as one of the factors of home ownership in the future. In general, this study also helps housing developers study marketing strategies by considering the current needs of urban communities, such as market prices, socio-economic development, and a community-friendly housing environment. This study suggests that the government should make more efforts to increase homeownership in the urban community by providing quality housing and creating a united society along with development.

Financial Policies for Single-Person Household Housing in South Korea

We investigated the determinants of awareness, utilization, and satisfaction regarding financial aid programs for single-person households in South Korea and proposed policy enhancements. Our analysis employed logistic regression on microdata from the “2020 Housing Survey” by Statistics Korea, covering the nation and all age groups. We categorized single-person household traits affecting program awareness, utilization, and satisfaction into demographic, socio-economic, housing, and housing perception factors. The dependent variables included awareness, utilization status, and satisfaction levels of government-sponsored financial support programs, which were measured on a four-point Likert scale. The independent variables encompassed demographic, socio-economic, and housing characteristics, which were analyzed comprehensively. We identified factors that influenced awareness, utilization, and satisfaction and recommended tailored policy measures. The findings revealed lower awareness among elderly individuals, women, rural residents, and rental households. Moreover, older age, lower income, rental, and one-room dwelling households exhibited lower utilization rates, with decreased housing and residential environment satisfaction correlating with diminished program satisfaction. Due to the diverse characteristics of single-person households, strategic interventions are crucial. Measures to bridge information gaps, establish comprehensive long-term support systems, and develop differentiated policies tailored to single-person household traits are imperative for improving financial aid programs for this demographic.