Housing Quality Research Articles

Urban residence and elevated blood pressure among migrant women in South Africa.

This paper demonstrates that internal migration may be contributing to rising non-communicable disease risk in low- and middle-income countries in gendered and geographically differentiated ways. With 2018 baseline data from the Migrant Health Follow-Up Study, we investigate the relationship between internal migration and elevated blood pressure (BP) among 2163 rural-origin men and women in South Africa, testing for sex differences. To examine the influence of place, we test whether the migration-BP relationship differs by migrants' destination locations, controlling for household composition, social support, prior migration, and housing quality. We find that migration is associated with elevated BP only among women, and that this association is greatest for migrants living in Tembisa township. Our research underscores that gender and migration are important social determinants of noncommunicable disease risk in low-resource, rapidly-urbanizing settings.

Segregación socioespacial en Machala-Ecuador. Un análisis sobre las desigualdades y los posibles desafíos

This study evaluates socio-spatial segregation in Machala, Ecuador, analyzing socioeconomic and demographic factors that impact the quality of life of residents. It focuses on inequalities in access to basic services, urban dynamics, education, health and employment in different neighborhoods. The findings reveal a majority of young people, aged 10 to 39, with a low level of education, with only 10% having completed university studies. School dropout is mainly attributed to the need for employment. There are significant disparities in access to basic services, housing quality and urban infrastructure. These factors are evidence of segregation in social exclusion and lack of social integration. Machala faces challenges in terms of accessibility to quality services, which impacts the living conditions of residents in vulnerable neighborhoods. The study highlights the need to address these inequalities to ensure a more equitable and inclusive urban development, recommending the implementation of public policies to improve the quality of life and encourage social integration.

Unmet Social Needs and Pediatric Asthma Severity in an Urban Primary Care Setting.

Community-level social determinants of health impact asthma outcomes among children; however, individual patient's priorities are not often included in designing social care interventions. Identifying connections between patient-prioritized unmet social needs and asthma severity status may allow for improved patient-centered approaches to asthma management. In this analysis, we examined the association between unmet social needs and asthma severity in an urban population of children. We hypothesized that those with a greater number of unmet social needs would report a more severe asthma status. We conducted a secondary analysis of 4887 patients screened for unmet social needs and asthma severity status. Bivariate associations and adjusted logistic regression modeling were used to assess the association between unmet social needs and asthma severity. Persistent asthma severity status was associated with several unmet social needs, including housing quality and stability, lack of money for food, transportation, and healthcare costs. In the multivariable analysis, having 3 or more unmet social needs was associated with a 59% greater odds of persistent asthma status (CI, 1.18-2.14; P=.002), and having 2 unmet social needs was associated with a 33% greater odds of persistent asthma status (CI, 1.00-1.78; P=.05). Unmet social needs were associated with asthma severity status, with a greater number of unmet social needs associated with greater odds of severe asthma status. Additional studies are warranted to further evaluate the temporal relationship between unmet social needs and how they may compound one another in their relationship with asthma severity.

Implementation of Livable House Standards for Earthquake Resistance in Bandung Regency

The BSPS (Bantuan Stimulan Perumahan Swadaya) program organized by the Directorate General of Housing of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing is a program implemented as a form of improving the quality of self-help housing. Although simple, building like this requires sufficient resistance to earthquakes. The results of the calculation of earthquake resistance that begins with loading the roof obtained a live load of 1.38 N, a super dead load of 0.75 N, and a dead load of 132102.5 N. Further testing on the calculation of ring beams results in ring beams being able to withstand a load of 1 .7191 kN with the help of the column interaction diagram states that the column is able to withstand a load of 252.6964 kN. The results of the ground spectrum response test show that Bandung district has a high earthquake risk and a class II risk period. Static power testing in the x and y directions is 270 kg and 260 kg. the level deviation on the x-axis is 0.0706500 mm and on the y-axis is 0.05575000 mm. This has proven the house to be resistant to earthquakes. Subsequent work can be in accordance with the standards given during the construction process. This building is resistant to earthquakes but the work requires more careful supervision.

A statistical framework for analyzing housing quality: a case study of New York City

A statistical framework for analyzing housing quality: a case study of New York City

재건축 안전진단 주거환경평가의 객관성 제고 방안 연구

Recently, major reconstruction complexes are accelerating their project progress as they have passed the long-awaited safety inspections due to the government's deregulation. As the ‘safety inspections’ regulation, which was an obstacle to the promotion of reconstruction projects, has been relaxed, more and more complexes are taking advantage of this opportunity to participate in reconstruction.
 The government came up with a plan to rationalize the safety inspections because the number of complexes that passed the safety inspections based on strict evaluation criteria decreased rapidly, reducing the supply of quality housing in the city center and deteriorating the residential environment. In particular, even if there are no serious problems with structural safety, reconstruction can be promoted in complexes with poor living conditions, such as insufficient parking spaces or excessive noise between floors.
 However, in order to improve the objectivity of the recently announced government reconstruction rationalization plan, the detailed fact-finding survey and quantitative evaluation items should be supplemented in the 'residential environment evaluation', in which the weight distribution was raised from 15% to 30%. In the case of conditional reconstruction through this, it is expected that there will be no room for controversy in the future.
 Based on this, 'revitalization of the reconstruction project' is expected, and at the same time, the government needs to strengthen education and consulting and conduct a fact-finding inspection to prevent indiscriminate safety inspections under the responsibility of private companies. In particular, it is expected that it will help private organizations improve their technical skills and reduce insolvency diagnoses through explanation of reconstruction safety inspection manuals and education that spreads cases of poor diagnosis for items with a high proportion of subjective evaluation items such as residential environment evaluation.

The relationship between health and housing in low-income older adults: A secondary analysis of survey data.

To examine the health-housing relationship in low-income older adults, and differences by income and receipt of housing assistance. Secondary analysis of longitudinal survey data. About 10,858 adults aged 62+ who completed at least one wave of the 2014 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) (n=37,333 observations). SIPP variables representing demographics and housing quality, affordability, stability, and neighborhood were analyzed. Low-income and higher-income participants were differentiated by the household income-to-poverty ratio. Low-income participants were significantly more likely to be in poor health and report problems with housing quality, affordability, and neighborhood safety compared to higher-income participants (p<.001). Increased household size and problems with housing quality and neighborhood safety were associated with poor health in both groups (p<.05). Low-income participants who received housing assistance were significantly poorer, less healthy, and food insecure than participants not receiving assistance (p<.001); however, the health-housing relationship was not different in the two groups. Results provide additional support for housing as a social determinant of older adult health. Though housing assistance programs reached a subset of low-income older adults, the results suggest a housing assistance shortfall. Implications for public health nurses and researchers are explored.

Urban Well-Being and Community Development: Investigating the Relationship Between Built Environments, Social Networks, and Quality of Life

This research investigates the dynamic interplay between the built environment, social networks, and quality of life in Bandung City's urban context, with a focus on urban community wellbeing and community development. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to comprehensively explore the relationships among these factors. The findings highlight the significance of access to green spaces, transportation options, and housing quality in influencing residents' quality of life. Moreover, strong social networks emerged as a crucial catalyst for community development, fostering a sense of belonging and social support. Integrating quantitative and qualitative insights, this research provides a nuanced understanding of how the built environment and social networks intersect to shape urban community wellbeing and enhance community development. The implications of this study extend to urban planning, policy development, and community engagement strategies, guiding efforts to create more livable and inclusive urban environments in Bandung City.

‘I’m Not a Tenant They Can Just Run Over’: Low-Income Renters’ Experiences of and Resistance to Racialized Dispossessing

Racialized housing markets are a cornerstone of systemic racial inequality in the United States, affecting socioeconomic, wealth, health, and educational outcomes. To enrich critical sociological research on housing, we examine how low-income renters perceive, experience, and navigate racialized dispossessing, or the everyday processes by which people of color are severed from place, home, and stability in rental markets. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 43 low-income American Indian, Black, Latinx, and White renters across two research sites, we find that low-income renters of color routinely experience other-race landlord and property manager non-responsiveness to housing quality and safety issues while White renters experience responsiveness. We also show how renters of color perceive and experience landlords and property managers racializing them as inferior, at times to justify this dispossession. In contrast to most of their counterparts of color, we demonstrate how low-income American Indian renters in our sample with same-Tribe landlords or property managers are protected from the harms their counterparts face. Finally, we show how low-income renters of color use a variety of strategies to resist this racialized dispossessing, often at great emotional or financial cost. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for research and housing policy.

Housing Quality Assessment Model Based on the Spatial Characteristics of an Apartment

Today more than ever, people are demanding higher-quality housing, and therefore, there is an increasing need for scientifically sound methods of systematic housing assessment that are capable of addressing multiple, conflicting, and irreconcilable aspects in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Existing studies and models often use a relatively small number of indicators and consider housing quality from a single perspective. This paper presents a methodology used to develop a model for assessing the quality of multiple conflicting spatial characteristics of an apartment. Through a literature review and a survey of 12 architects, 24 spatial indicators were identified and then classified into five categories: (i) additional rooms, (ii) room size, (iii) window orientation and ventilation, (iv) circulation, and (v) spatial organization. Finally, the overall rating of the apartment is calculated as the sum of the ratings of all indicator categories, where the share of each category in the overall rating and desirable characteristics of the apartment is determined by the user. The model was tested on the example of two apartments in the city of Osijek, Croatia.

Analisis Perbandingan Biaya Pembangunan Rumah Layak Huni Dengan Metode Konvensional Dan Ferosemen Di Kota Kupang Nusa Tenggara Timur

In Indonesia, there is still extreme poverty caused by several factors, one of which is low-income among the population. The President of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 period, Mr. Joko Widodo, conveyed Presidential Instruction No. 4 of 2022, stating that the Ministry of Public Works and Housing needs to support the acceleration of eradicating extreme poverty, one of which is by improving inadequate housing into habitable dwellings. The implementation of this activity refers to Circular Letter No. 3/SE/Dr/2021 on technical instructions for conducting self-help housing stimulus activities (BSPS). BSPS is a government aid program for low-income communities to encourage and enhance self-reliance in improving housing quality through conventional and ferrocement methods. The purpose of this research is to obtain a cost comparison of habitable dwellings using conventional and ferrocement methods for types 27, 36, and 39 houses. Descriptive analysis methods were employed to determine the budget design for habitable dwellings using conventional and ferrocement methods based on unit price work analysis. Data for this research was obtained from the implementation of BSPS in 2022. The results of the cost comparison analysis for habitable dwellings using conventional and ferrocement methods showed that the budget for a conventional type 27 house amounted to Rp. 345,549,510.48, while the ferrocement house required Rp. 242,127,415.19. For a conventional type 36 house, the budget needed was Rp. 390,354,427.82, while the ferrocement house required Rp. 274,401,749.21. Lastly, for a conventional type 39 house, the budget needed was Rp. 455,467,373.11, while the ferrocement house required Rp. 313,893,235.77.

A scoping review examining the association of housing quality and psychosocial well-being following homelessness: an ecological systems perspective

ABSTRACT Housing quality (HQ) has been previously associated with health and quality of life. Although HQ is an important factor in preventing homelessness, little is known about the range and breadth of this body of literature. To identify existing studies, we conducted a scoping review guided by the question: “in what ways has housing quality been associated with psychosocial well-being following homelessness in existing peer-reviewed literature?” using the framework proposed by Arksey & O'Malley and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Our search was deployed in eight databases. A total of 713 titles and abstracts were screened following the removal of duplicates, and 32 articles were included in narrative synthesis. Six themes emerged from our data analysis of included articles: 1) quality of housing affecting well-being; 2) feeling forced to live in unsafe and poor-quality housing due to no other options; 3) HQ mediated by housing first; 4) determinants of HQ; 5) standardized measures of HQ; and 6) HQ is de-emphasized in research and practice following homelessness. Our findings demonstrate that HQ is associated with psychosocial well-being at micro, meso, exo, and macro systems levels for persons experiencing homelessness. We argue addressing HQ following homelessness is a key homelessness prevention strategy.

Urban Regeneration, Rent Regulation and the Private Rental Sector in Portugal: A Case Study on Inner-City Lisbon’s Social Sustainability

Rent regulation has a significant impact on tenant–landlord relations and the overall functioning of the private rented sector. Different forms of rent regulation—in relation to rent levels, rent increases, security of tenure, etc.—also affect the quality, the social composition and, ultimately, the size of the private rented sector. Together they affect the character of much urban regeneration and renewal. The introduction in Portugal of more flexible rent regimes that aimed to gradually replace open-ended tenancies with freely negotiated contracts led researchers to classify the country as a free market system. In this paper, by using a mixed methods approach that combined desk-based research with census data and in-depth interviews, we test the) classification of Portugal’s rented sector as a free market against empirical evidence and examine the impacts of the main rent regulation regimes on social sustainability-oriented urban regeneration. Our results show that open-ended contracts, which were signed before the 1990s, still account for a significant part of the private rented sector, thus the classification of Portugal’s rent regulation regime as a free-market system does not capture the country’s most significant features. This is particularly evident in inner-city Lisbon, where various extreme rent regimes (in terms of contract duration, tenant security and prices) coexist, giving rise to tensions between housing quality and demographic shifts that threaten the overall social sustainability of the city.

House quality index construction and rent prediction in New York City with interactive visualization and product design

House quality index construction and rent prediction in New York City with interactive visualization and product design

Health service use after moving on from permanent supportive housing

PurposeStudies have shown positive housing retention and quality of life outcomes in moving on initiatives (MOIs). However, less is known about how movers’ health service use changes post-move. This paper aims to explore physical and mental health service use over time for participants in New York City’s MOI program.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses data collected at baseline, 12-months post move and 24-months post move to explore patterns in mental and physical health service use and their association with mental and physical health status for participants (N = 41). Health status was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Survey Instrument.FindingsThree mental health service use patterns emerged: service use at all time points, inconsistent service use across time points and no service use at any time point. Significant group differences in mental health were found at baseline and 12 months. Two physical health service use patterns emerged: service use at all three time points and inconsistent service use across time points. Significant group differences were found in mental health at 12 and 24 months.Originality/valueThis study showed that physical and mental health service use varied slightly over time for participants, with the majority of service use being for outpatient/non-acute care. The findings also point to possible relationships between service use and mental health status. Positive and negative implications of these findings are framed within the broader context of PSH and MOI goals.

Barriers and facilitators to obtaining accessible housing among children, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families: a scoping review

Purpose Accessible housing is a fundamental human right and yet many children and youth with disabilities live in inaccessible, insecure, unaffordable and poor quality housing. The aim of our study was to understand the barriers and facilitators to obtaining accessible housing among children, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families. Methods We conducted a scoping review involving seven international literature databases from 2000 to 2022 that identified 38 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. Results The reviewed studies involved 10 countries over a 22-year period. Our review emphasized the following key trends: (1) barriers to obtaining accessible homes (i.e. common types of accessibility barriers, rates of inaccessible housing, factors affecting home accessibility), and negative impacts of inaccessible housing; and (2) rates and facilitators to obtaining accessible housing (i.e., common types of home modifications, enablers of home modifications) and positive impacts of accessible housing. Conclusions Our findings highlight the barriers and enablers of obtaining accessible housing among children, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families and the critical need to support them in securing appropriate housing.

Users’ satisfaction in selected public housing estates in Lagos, Nigeria

The needs of residents have often not been considered in public housing provision, resulting into poor housing quality. This consequently affects satisfaction level of the inhabitants. The study aimed to examine residents housing satisfaction in selected public housing estates in Lagos with a view to providing a framework that could enhance policy response for effective public housing provision in the city. Three public estates were selected. The study adopted a mixed method that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches as it utilized primary and secondary data. The primary source of data was derived from the social survey conducted on the residents in the selected estates. The Simple Random Sampling was used to select the three public residential estates and the Stratified Sampling Technique was adopted to select the houses from which a resident was sampled in each. Questionnaires were administered and analyzed using SPSS 8.1. It was found that they were fairly satisfied with the type of buildings and the space allocation within the buildings, but were fairly satisfied with the level of communal activities and social interaction of residents in the estates. There is an adoption of innovative Public-Private Partnerships and development of future scenarios for public housing, Integration of rental housing and home-ownership and design, materials, technology and professionals for public housing were recommended to increase the satisfaction level of residents in the estates.

Residents’ perception of housing quality in selected informal settlement in a part of Southwestern Nigeria

Residents’ perception of housing quality in selected informal settlement in a part of Southwestern Nigeria

Characterizing Social Determinants of Maternal and Child Health: A Qualitative Community Health Needs Assessment in Underserved Areas.

This study aimed to identify social determinants of maternal and child health (SDoH) in Pakistan. Using a qualitative study design, data were collected from community members in seven underserved areas of Lahore City, Pakistan. A total of 22 qualitative in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. The participants included basic health unit healthcare staff, women of reproductive ages, male family members, mothers-in-law, and religious leaders. We found that maternal and child health is adversely affected by the following socioeconomic and environmental barriers: (i) poor housing quality and sanitation; (ii) inadequate food supply and safety; (iii) unsatisfactory public sector school services; (iv) a lack of safety and security; (v) scarce poverty alleviation efforts and loan schemes; (vi) unsatisfactory transport and internet services; and (vii) inadequate health services. The targets for maternal and child health in Pakistan cannot be met without close coordination between the primary health sector, local governance, and macro state structures, which collectively must monitor and improve housing adequacy, food security, public sector services (primary healthcare services, public schooling, public transport, and public internet access), overall safety, and poverty emergence.

Investigating rural housing quality indicators in the Indian scenario for inclusive imageability

Investigating rural housing quality indicators in the Indian scenario for inclusive imageability