Housing Costs Research Articles

Unveiling China's Fertility Dilemma: Analyzing Risk Factors and Their Global Implications

Abstract: The National Bureau of Statistics of China has announced in 2021 that the country has formally entered the stage of low fertility rate, reaching a historically low of 1.3. Such low birth is far below the replacement level of 2.1 which is needed for maintaining a sustainable population, implying the possibility for China to start a significant demographic shift. Several key factors have contributed to this decline. Factors behind the problem includes Chinas historical policy implementation, socioeconomic factors including the rise of housing price and cost of upbringing and social factors including waning of social norms and ascent of gender equity. Such phenomenon serves as also valuable insights for analyzing global fertility intention for countries like Switzerland, the United States and South Korea. As all global policymakers seek to address the problem of unstable and declining fertility rates and waning fertility intention, the Chinese case could provide intriguing example as supportive evidence.

Medicaid Waivers to Address Homelessness: Political Development and Policy Trajectories.

This article reviews the role of Medicaid Waivers in homeless policy, and their emerging role as a mechanism to address homelessness. We evaluate the political development of Waivers in housing and homeless policy over the past thirty years, and investigate the status of current and approved Waivers targeting homelessness. We then consider how Waivers may shape homeless policy governance going forward, including the success of existing systems, and ethical questions related to the role of healthcare payers in solutions to homelessness. We find that the scope of Medicaid Waivers to address homelessness has always been present, but significantly expanded post Affordable Care Act (ACA) and more notably following the COVID-19 pandemic. These expansions brought new opportunities for states to fund responses to homelessness through Medicaid social determinants of health (SDoH) provisions providing wrap-around medical services for populations at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, and now through time-limited direct housing costs paired with essential medical services. Over one third of states have an 1115 Waiver specifically targeting homelessness, with nearly one in five states including provisions that cover direct housing costs (e.g., rent). Going forward, Medicaid's involvement in homeless policy has the potential to reshape state and local responses to homelessness.

Health Insurance Coverage Changes Under the Affordable Care Act Among High Housing Cost Households, 2010-18.

This study examines the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on health insurance coverage among rent-burdened households-those spending more than 30% of their income on rent-and non-rent-burdened households. Using data from American Community Survey, we find that Medicaid take-up rate increased 8.88 percentage points (pp) among rent-burdened households and 7.54 pp among non-rent-burdened households in expansion states. Conditional on household income and demographic characteristics, rent-burdened households exhibit a 1.5 pp higher likelihood of Medicaid enrollment, with an additional decline of 0.7 pp in employer-sponsored insurance and 1.0 pp in directly purchased insurance enrollment. These effects were more pronounced among individuals aged over 26 and those in states without state-run exchanges. The findings show the importance of tailored Medicaid policies to assist households facing housing burdens, especially for those ineligible for housing vouchers.

Earned Income Tax Credit Plus: A New Way to House the Working Poor

The housing affordability crisis is one of the defining features of the US today. The demand for housing subsidies outstrips supply by a factor of at least 4 to 1. Moreover, housing affordability varies greatly between and within metropolitan areas. This article proposes a new federal policy—the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Plus—to decrease housing cost burdens for working households by combining aspects of two major federal programs, the EITC, a tax-based subsidy for low-income working households, and the Housing Choice Voucher, a subsidy that pays the difference between 30% of household income and rent. We propose an EITC housing supplement via the tax code for markets where income and current EITC benefits are below 30% of rent levels. It will reduce the housing affordability crisis and reduce the geographic disparities of the Housing Choice Voucher. We simulate the cost at $101 billion nationally (based on 2021 figures). Varying program rules and parameters can significantly reduce costs. Piggybacking on the EITC simplifies the proposal’s implementation and increases its political palatability.

Housing Inclusion Perspective: The Causal Structure of Housing Cost Burden, Fertility Intentions, and Social Housing in Urban China

To address low fertility and enhance urban inclusiveness and sustainability, this study conducted a questionnaire survey in 35 cities in China, systematically collected data on housing inclusiveness and fertility intentions, and used the SEM to analyze the causal relationship between housing costs burden, fertility intentions, and perceived need for social housing. The results show that the housing cost burden has a statistically significant positive (+) effect on the perceived need for social housing and a statistically significant negative (−) effect on fertility intentions, and that fertility intentions have a positive (+) effect on the perceived need for social housing. Notably, the direct effect of the housing cost burden on the perceived need for social housing (0.15) is greater than the total effect of the housing cost burden on the perceived need for social housing mediated by fertility intentions (0.14). This suggests that even when housing costs are high, families who still plan to have children exhibit a greater demand for social housing. Therefore, social housing can positively impact fertility intentions and help reduce housing cost pressures on families. Additionally, actively promoting inclusive housing development will have a significant impact on the sustainable growth of the urban population and economy, making meaningful contributions.

What is driving food insecurity risks in UK households with children?

Abstract Background Food insecurity is a global public health issue, disproportionately affecting households with children in the UK. Despite increased research attention, there remains a gap in understanding why prevalence of food insecurity is higher in this demographic. This study aims to address this gap. Methods Utilising data from the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Family Resources Survey, an UK annual cross-sectional survey, we investigate the association between sociodemographic and economic factors, and the risk of food insecurity among households with children. Logistic regression analysis was used, with food security treated as a binary outcome variable. Control variables included receiving means-tested benefits, disabilities in a household, region within the UK, and the ethnicity, highest education level and marital status of the household reference person. A total of 41127 households were included, with 10137 being households with children. Results Our preliminary findings reveal stark inequalities, with 12.0% of households with children experiencing food insecurity, compared to 6.4% of households without children (p-value for comparison <0.0001). After adjusting for control variables, the odds of food insecurity among households with children was 1.40 (95% CI: 1.27, 1.54) compared to households without children. Adding equivalised household income after housing costs attenuated the relationship but households with children remained at significantly higher odds of food insecurity (OR: 1.32 (1.20, 1.45)). Conclusions This preliminary analysis demonstrates that, after adjusting for control variables and equivalised household income after housing costs, having children in a household is still associated with a higher risk of food insecurity. This underscores the need to understand the mechanisms underlying this relationship further. Such insights are essential for informing targeted policies and interventions aimed at mitigating food insecurity among households with children. Key messages • Having children independently increases the risk of food insecurity in households in the UK. • Moving forward, our aim is to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between households with children and food insecurity.

Everyday household costs of raising a child with cerebral palsy

Abstract Background Caring for a child with a disability can be costly in terms of time and energy, and it is also associated with lower incomes and higher direct costs, such as costs for assistive technologies, transport, food, clothing and leisure activities. However, few studies that have focused on households’ everyday costs associated with raising a child with disability. This study is based on the capability approach. The economic costs of a child with cerebral palsy are defined as the economic costs associated with achieving the same capabilities, or functionings, as a child without cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study is to explore the needs and economic costs in households raising a child with cerebral palsy. The results are important to inform, plan and justify targeted policies and interventions. Methods Digital in-depth interviews with caregivers from 15 Norwegian households raising children with cerebral palsy (aged 4-17 years, GMFCS levels 1-5). 12 women, 2 men and a couple were interviewed two times (1-2 hours each). Results The caregivers who took part in the interviews described their demanding role and that they spend a lot of time organizing daily routines, activities, health services, assistive technologies and assistants. Many of them initially reported that they do not have many daily extra costs, but when discussing the different areas of consumption, it emerged that households have extra housing costs because they need to make adaptations, remodeling and maintenance to their homes. An adapted car, which requires service, insurance and fuel, is often used for transport. The washing machine runs regularly and towels, sheets and clothes need to be frequently changed. Sometimes they also end up buying food, clothes or toys that are not used. Conclusions Households caring for children with cerebral palsy have additional costs for several types of expenses, including especially high costs for housing and transportation. Key messages • Households raising a child with cerebral palsy have needs that generate additional costs. • The costs vary and it is important to cover a broad range of cost areas.

Housing choice in an evolving remote work landscape

We estimate a joint model of housing choice along several dimensions to account for changing valuations of housing outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider housing outcomes including housing type, tenure type, the presence of a patio or yard, the number of bedrooms, neighborhood population density, median housing cost, accessibility of amenities, school quality, crime rate, and commute distance. Data used for this analysis were collected in October and November of 2021 from 24 metropolitan areas across the United States. A Generalized Heterogeneous Data Model (GHDM) is used to estimate these housing outcomes as a function of exogenous household sociodemographic characteristics and latent lifestyle propensities. The GHDM also captures jointness caused by unobserved factors, allowing for the estimation of accurate causal effects between outcomes. The results reveal that lifestyle preferences have significant impacts on housing outcomes. Specifically, individuals with a preference for teleworking are more likely to reside in single-family homes in highly populated areas, experience longer commute distances, and exhibit a higher sensitivity to the presence of amenities in their neighborhoods. Additionally, the analysis of tradeoffs between housing outcomes reveals the relative valuations of various housing outcomes. An increased commute distance is found to lead to an increase in single-family homes, reductions in density, and an increased crime rate. Choosing an apartment in a high-density neighborhood is found to lead to reductions in school quality and significant increases in crime rates. Implications of the results for land-use planning, travel demand analysis, and equity considerations are identified and discussed.

Immigrants and house prices: myths and realities

PurposeThis paper aims to dissect myths from realities. It delves into the nuanced relationship between immigration and housing, emphasizing that while correlation exists, causation is not straightforward. By exploring factors beyond immigration driving housing costs and the multifaceted impact of immigration on labour markets and economic growth, the paper seeks to inform evidence-based policies. It underscores immigration's pivotal role in filling labour shortages, fostering innovation and offsetting demographic challenges. Ultimately, the paper advocates for nuanced policy responses that acknowledge immigration's contributions while addressing housing affordability concerns, steering away from simplistic narratives and embracing the complexities of the issue.Design/methodology/approachOur methodology entails a comprehensive review of literature to elucidate the complex relationship between immigration and housing prices in Canada. We examine studies estimating causal effects of immigration on housing prices, while also considering myriad factors influencing housing demand and supply. Moreover, we analyse government immigration policies to assess their impact on housing markets. Additionally, we integrate insights from economic theory to understand the interconnectedness between immigration, labour markets and housing affordability. Through rigorous analysis and synthesis of existing research, we aim to provide clarity on the myths and realities surrounding the perceived link between immigration and housing prices.FindingsThe paper highlights Canada's historical support for immigration and its substantial benefits, including addressing labour shortages, enhancing economic growth and cultural diversity. However, concerns over immigration's impact on housing prices have shifted public opinion. While immigration is often correlated with housing price increases, causality is complex, with myriad factors at play. Few studies estimate a small, varied effect of immigration on housing prices. Importantly, immigrants increasingly settle in areas with lower housing costs, suggesting self-correcting equilibrium. Immigration also serves as a vital labour source, potentially alleviating housing supply bottlenecks. Restrictive immigration policies risk overlooking these multifaceted contributions to the economy and housing markets.Originality/valueThe paper delineates the complex relationship between immigration and housing prices in Canada, elucidating that while immigration is often correlated with housing price increases, it may not be the causal factor. It highlights the myriad of factors, beyond immigration, influencing housing demand and supply. Despite concerns over immigrants' impact on housing affordability, their contribution to labour markets, innovation and economic growth is substantial. The discussion underscores the importance of informed policies that address both housing affordability and labor market needs. Immigration, far from being solely a factor driving up housing prices, serves as a vital source of labour, fostering economic vitality and cultural diversity in Canada.

Changes in Fuel Prices and the Use of Public Transport: Insights from the European Union following the Invasion of Ukraine

Rising fuel prices are known to affect public transport (PT) demand. However, the impact of the oil market inflation and subsequent energy crisis following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine on mobility behaviour in Europe has received little attention. This study examines shifts in fuel prices and PT mobility across 25 Europe-an Union countries between February and May 2022. Weekly variations in PT mobility were correlated with diesel and gasoline prices, and a multiple linear regression was conducted to assess the influence of contextual factors in explaining variations in PT usage. The results indicate a significant increase in PT mobility across all countries after February 2022, which was positively associated with rising fuel prices. Approximately 84% of the variance in mobility was explained, with more pronounced increases observed in countries characterised by lower telecommuting prevalence, higher housing costs relative to household income, greater price differentials between gasoline and diesel, lower adoption of alternative fuels, and higher motorisation rates. These findings suggest that the surge in fuel prices, driven by the 2022 energy crisis, may have stimulated an increase in transit ridership.

THE SPATIAL LINKAGES BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND SECURITY: THE EMPIRICAL FINDINGS FROM TURKEY HOSTING MOST REFUGEE IN THE WORLD

The increasing international migration in the world, especially due to the conflict, have potential negative impacts in immigrant countries. An increase in crime rates caused by unemployed immigrants who cannot meet their food and housing needs is one of them. Accordingly, the study investigates the effects of international immigrants, whose numbers reached about 3,9 million in Turkey, on violent and financial crime rates. The Spatial Error Panel Model with Fixed Effects covering Turkey’s 26 NUTS-II regions and 2016-2019 period indicate that there are positive and statistically significant relationships between immigrants and these crime rates. However, the negative impacts of international migration on security are mainly observed in financial crimes rather than violent crimes. Furthermore, the most important determinants of these crimes are high food and housing costs. And also, there is a negative relationship between uneducated employment and financial crimes rather than violent crimes. On the other hand, the findings indicate that regions have spatial dependency positively in terms of violent crimes. It means that as average violent crimes increase in the neighbors of a region, the violent crimes of that region also increase.

Fairer schooling for a better housing environment: Effect of abolishing school zones on the housing market

Access to high-quality public education is often closely linked to residential property ownership and location in many countries, contributing to rising housing costs in areas with better educational resources. This creates challenges in housing affordability and perpetuates inequality in education access. Our study explores the effectiveness of two policies aimed at reducing the association between property ownership and access to premium public education: the "six-year-one-position" policy, which limits school enrolment to one student per property every six years, and the "multi-dicing" policy, which uses a random allocation system for student placement. While this research focuses on Beijing, China, the implications of such policies are of broader relevance to cities worldwide facing similar issues. Using a spatial difference-in-difference approach, we find that eliminating school zoning can decrease housing prices by 2.5% in areas where these policies are implemented, with reductions of 4.4%–7.9% in districts previously associated with high-ranking schools. However, the announcement of these policies triggers short-term price spikes, with increases of 2.7%–4.7%, reflecting a panic-buying effect. Moreover, we observe a spillover effect, where demand shifts from regions that abolished school zones earlier to those that implemented the policy later, as revealed by a staggered difference-in-difference analysis. These findings offer insights for policymakers in other urban contexts where educational access is intertwined with housing markets, highlighting the need for balanced strategies to address both housing affordability and equitable education access.

A mediation analysis of the relationship between land use regulation stringency and employment dynamics

ABSTRACT The paper examines the effects of stringent land use regulations, measured using the Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index (WRLURI), on employment growth during the period 2010–2020 in the Retail, Professional, and Information sectors across 878 local jurisdictions in the United States. All the local jurisdictions exist in both (2006 and 2018) waves of the WRLURI surveys and hence constitute unique panel data. We apply a mediation analytical framework to decompose the direct and indirect effects of land use regulation stringency on sectoral employment growth and specialization. Our analysis suggests a fully mediated pattern in the relationship between excessive land use regulations and employment growth, with housing cost burden as the mediator. Specifically, a one standard deviation increase in the WRLURI index is associated with an approximate increase of 0.8 percentage point in the proportion of cost burdened renters. Relatedly, the higher prevalence of cost-burdened renters has moderate adverse effects on employment growth in two sectors. A 1 percentage point increase in the proportion of cost burdened renters is associated with 0.04 and 0.017 percentage point decreases in the Professional and Information sectors, respectively.

Possibilities to escape the rental trap

Despite a resurgence of economic activity since the 2008 financial crisis and longstanding government policies promoting homeownership, the percentage of renters has remained stable over the past decade despite most preferring homeownership. This study examines the time required for various rental market groups to save for a down payment on an apartment in the capital area from 2011 to 2022. We also assess the potential impact of a government program allowing certain low-income groups to set aside just 5% of a property’s price as a down payment. The focus is on people in the lowest 20th percentile group. Using data on wages, taxes, compulsory pension contributions, and spending patterns, we analyze how much each group can realistically save, considering both minimal (bare) and typical consumption benchmarks. This analysis reveals how much each group can save for a down payment. Our findings show that despite economic prosperity and wage increases outpacing the consumer price index (excluding housing costs), the time needed to save for a down payment in 2022 remains nearly the same as in 2011 due to rising housing prices. Single parents face the most difficulty saving for a down payment, but the 5% down payment program offers a more realistic path to homeownership. The implications are that government policies should focus on controlling house prices and continuing the 5% down payment program to enhance homeownership opportunities.

Understanding temporary residential mobility during urban renewal: Insights from a structured community survey and machine learning analysis

Existing studies on urban renewal have primarily focused on the final effects of urban redevelopment, while often overlooked the social costs incurred during the temporary displacement phase. This gap is significant, as many residents must vacate their homes for an average of 3–5 years during Shantytown redevelopment, which brings about challenges of renting houses and the associated negative impacts on their well-being before returning to their resettled homes. Therefore, this study focuses on examining the temporary residence arising during Shantytown redevelopment while awaiting resettlement. We selected Heze city as our case study area, which has been through China's most intensive redevelopment between 2016 and 2018 that affected about 1.2 million population. A structured community survey was conducted, and 1035 valid samples were collected. We then applied spatiotemporal analysis and the Random Forest model to examine stability, direction, and distance of temporary residence mobility, along with its influencing factors. Findings reveal that 92.4% of households move just once or twice during the temporary phase, indicating the preference for stable residence. Regarding moving direction, households seek life service centers rather than city centers, and prefer familiar community environments. Furthermore, 74.8% of households resettled within 2.5 km of their original residence, indicating a preference for nearby temporary housing. The built environment emerged as the most critical factor influencing the mobility, followed by family socioeconomic status, while housing costs, surprisingly, having the minimal impact. This study highlights the importance of considering the interim social costs in urban renewal projects and provides valuable insights for housing market regulation and urban planning to mitigate these effects.

Strategic housing decisions and the evolution of urban settlements: optimality modelling and empirical application in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Investments in housing influence migration and landscape construction, making them a key component of human-environment interactions. However, the strategic decision-making that builds residential landscapes is an underdeveloped area of research in evolutionary approaches to human behaviour. Our contribution to this literature is a theoretical model and an empirical test of this model using data from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We develop a model of strategic housing decisions using stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) to explore the trade-offs between building, moving and saving over time, finding different trade-offs depending on optimization scenarios and housing costs. Household strategies are then estimated using data on 825 households that settled in the Ger districts of Ulaanbaatar between 1942 and 2020. The Ger districts are areas of self-built housing that feature both mobile dwellings (gers) and immobile houses (bashins). Using approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), we find the parameters of our dynamic programming model that best fit the empirical data. The model is able to capture the time horizon of housing changes and their bi-directionality, showing that moving from a fixed to mobile dwelling can also be an optimal strategy. However, the model underpredicts household persistence in dwelling types. We discuss deviations from model predictions and identify a more detailed exploration of risk and population mixes of strategies as key steps for future research.

Health care disparities and bladder cancer mortality in the United States: A closer look at the social vulnerability index.

150 Background: Bladder cancer is a significant public health concern, with various factors influencing mortality rates. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) measures community resilience to external health stresses. This study investigates the association between bladder cancer mortality (BCM) and county-level SVI in the United States (U.S.). Methods: Mortality data from U.S. counties were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database from 2015 to 2019 using the International Classification of Diseases-10th Edition (Code C67). The CDC and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) county-level SVI was used as a composite measure of social vulnerability. The SVI includes several U.S. census variables grouped into four themes: Socioeconomic Status (SES), Household Characteristics, Racial and Ethnic Minority Status, and Housing Type and Transportation. Vulnerable SES variables include individuals with incomes below 150% of the federal poverty line, unemployment, those with housing cost burdens, and those without high school diplomas or health insurance. Vulnerable household variables include seniors over 65 years, children under 17 years, disabled civilians, single-parent households, and those with limited English proficiency. SVI Quartiles (Q1 being the least vulnerable and Q4 the most vulnerable) were compared to assess their impact on BCM. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) using SAS software. Results: From 2015 to 2019, a total of 82,994 people died from bladder cancer, and the age-adjusted mortality rate per 1,000,000 was 42.4. A higher SVI in intermediate vulnerability quartiles was associated with a higher risk of BCM (Q2 and Q3: IRR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01-1.10; p = 0.009) compared to the least vulnerable quartile, Q1. Vulnerable SES had an increased risk of BCM (Q2 and Q3: IRR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.03-1.12; p < 0.001) compared to Q1. BCM was also increased in individuals with vulnerable household characteristics (Q2 and Q3: IRR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02-1.10; p = 0.004) compared to Q1. Q4 was not significant in comparison to Q1 for the groups mentioned above. Interestingly, Racial and Ethnic Minority Status (Hispanic, Latino, African American, etc.) was associated with lower BCM in Q2 and Q3 (IRR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.84-0.92; p < 0.001) and Q4 (IRR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.73-0.81; p < 0.001) compared to Q1. No significant mortality differences were observed among vulnerable Housing Types and Transportation. Conclusions: Bladder cancer mortality is linked to vulnerable socioeconomic and household characteristics, while racial and ethnic minority status correlates with decreased risk. Future targeted public health interventions are needed to reduce bladder cancer mortality in vulnerable populations. Bladder cancer mortality and its association with social vulnerability quartiles. Bladder Cancer Mortality Characteristic IRR 95% CI p-value Social Vulnerability Index Q1 — — Q2&Q3 1.06 1.01, 1.10 0.009 Q4 0.98 0.93, 1.03 0.4 Socioeconomic Status Q1 — — Q2&Q3 1.07 1.03, 1.12 <0.001 Q4 1.00 0.95, 1.05 >0.9 Household Characteristics Q1 — — Q2&Q3 1.06 1.02, 1.10 0.004 Q4 1.05 1.00, 1.10 0.052 Racial & Ethnic Minority Status Q1 — — Q2&Q3 0.88 0.84, 0.92 <0.001 Q4 0.77 0.73, 0.81 <0.001 Housing Type & Transportation Q1 — — Q2&Q3 1.03 0.99, 1.08 0.2 Q4 0.98 0.93, 1.03 0.4 IRR = Incidence Rate Ratio, CI = Confidence Interval.

미취업 청년 캥거루족의 부모 경제적 의존 유형화 및 결정요인

The primary objective of this study is to categorize the different forms of economic reliance that unemployed young adults have on their parents and identify the factors contributing to this dependency. The study utilized data from the Youth Panel Survey (YP) conducted by the Korea Employment Information Service and performed a latent class analysis on unemployed young adults receiving financial support from their parents. Based on the reasons for and levels of parental financial support, four distinct types of economic dependency were identified: 'Moderate Living Expense Dependency,' 'High Housing Expense Dependency,' 'Minimal Living Expense Dependency,' and 'Unconditional Dependency.' Each type is differentiated by the specific reasons young adults rely on their parents and the level of financial support they receive. The study further analyzed how sociodemographic characteristics, career maturity, job search preparation, and work values influence these types of economic dependency. The results indicated that the 'High Housing Expense Dependency' type was more common among young adults living in metropolitan areas and those with a university degree or higher. This group tended to receive higher amounts of financial support from their parents for housing costs. On the other hand, the 'Unconditional Dependency' type was prevalent among students and those whose parents had greater wealth. This group exhibited lower levels of career maturity and placed more importance on economic rewards and job security in their work values. Additionally, the study demonstrated that economic dependency among unemployed young adults is closely linked not only to financial factors but also to their career maturity and job search preparation. For example, those categorized under 'Moderate Living Expense Dependency' and 'High Housing Expense Dependency' exhibited lower career maturity but higher levels of job search preparation. This research aims to provide important policy insights by offering an in-depth understanding of the complex reasons behind young adults' financial dependence on their parents and the types of support they receive. The findings will contribute to developing policies that promote the economic independence of young adults and support a smoother transition into the workforce. Furthermore, the study provides foundational data to help reduce the challenges these young adults face during their transition into employment.

Unveiling financial well-being: Insights from retired people in Third Age group in Poland, Spain and Denmark

The study investigates the financial well-being of older people in Poland, Spain and Denmark, with a particular focus on their ability to make ends meet. Using data from the SHARE survey to analyse retired individuals aged 65 to 79 years, it aims to identify the socio-economic factors that influence financial well-being among older people in these countries. In terms of methodology, it uses Light Gradient Boosting Machine algorithm and SHAP value calculations to predict the ability to make ends meet and determine the importance of 167 various features. The study concludes that household income and financial resources are the primary determinants of older people’s ability to make ends meet. The findings underscore the need for policymakers and practitioners the fields of ageing and economics to address specific challenges, such as housing costs in Denmark and food expenditure in Poland and Spain, to improve the financial well-being of older individuals.

Housing Insecurity and Older Adults' Health and Well-Being in a Gentrifying City: Results from the EPIPorto Cohort Study.

Using 2022 data from 600 adults (≥ 60years) in Porto, Portugal, we explored the association between housing insecurity and various health outcomes. We examined housing conditions, affordability, and stability in relation to loneliness, quality of life, cognitive function, perception of healthy ageing, and sleep using regression models. Older adults without house heating (β = 2.293; 95%CI = 0.753, 3.833), with leaks/dampness/rot (β = 3.741; 1.818, 5.664), insufficient daylight (β = 2.787; 0.095, 5.479), living in neighborhoods with noise (β = 1.793, 0.280 to 3.305), pollution/grime (β = 2.580; 0.746, 4.414), and violence/crime/vandalism (β = 3.940; 1.723, 6.157), who faced housing cost overburden (β = 2.001; 0.426, 3.577), eviction (β = 12.651; 0.852, 24.450), and moved frequently (β = 4.129; 1.542, 6.716) exhibited higher levels of loneliness. Similarly, lack of house heating (β = - 1.942; - 3.438, - 0.445), leaks/dampness/rot (β = - 4.157; - 5.999, - 2.316), insufficient daylight (β = - 3.124; - 5.714, - 0.534), noise (β = - 2.143; - 3.600, - 0.686), pollution/grime (β= - 2.093; - 3.860, - 0.325), violence/crime/vandalism (β= - 2.819; - 4.948, - 0.691), and those with housing cost overburden (β= - 2.435; - 3.930, - 0.940) reported lower quality of life.Those with no toilet (β = - 1.891; - 3.760, - 0.021) or shower (β = - 1.891; - 3.760, - 0.021) and who faced forced displacement (β = - 2.179; - 3.516, - 0.842) presented lower cognitive function. Furthermore, those living in neighborhoods with pollution/grime (OR = 0.494; 0.322, 0.756) and violence/crime/vandalism (OR = 0.477; 0.284, 0.801), those in social housing (OR = 0.728; 0.575, 0.922), and those who moved frequently (OR = 0.475; 0.257, 0.879) reported lower levels of perceived healthy ageing. Insufficient sleep was more common among residents in social housing (OR = 2.155; 1.102, 4.213), while poor sleep quality was least likely both among those living in social housing (OR = 0.445; 0.220, 0.900) and affordable housing (OR = 0.381; 0.162, 0.896). Good quality, stable, and affordable housing seems crucial for healthy ageing.