Housing Units Research Articles

Changes in healthcare costs and utilization for Medicaid recipients who received supportive housing through a payer-community-based housing partnership.

To evaluate healthcare cost and utilization changes among Medicaid and dually eligible participants of a supportive housing program implemented by a managed care organization and community-based organization. Healthcare claims were reviewed retrospectively for 80 program participants in one urban Pennsylvania county between 1/1/2018 and 9/28/2023 who had ≥6 months of claims data in both pre- and post-housing periods. Eligibility included age >18 years, Medicaid/Special Needs Plan enrollment, and housing need. Due to limited housing units, potential participants were prioritized by medical need and history of unplanned care. Healthcare cost and utilization were compared during pre- (i.e., 12 months before housing initiation) and post-periods (i.e., 12 months after housing initiation). Compared to the pre-period, significantly lower medical (-40.4%, p = 0.004), emergency department (-62.7%, p = 0.02), and total (-33.3%, p = 0.02) costs of care were observed in the post-period. Significantly lower primary care (-50.0%, p = 0.0003), specialist (-31.3%, p = 0.02), and emergency department (-50.0%, p = 0.03) utilization were also observed. Healthcare cost and utilization among medically complex individuals were lower with supportive housing. Future evaluations with randomized designs can address the potential causal impact of supportive housing as a healthcare intervention on specific outcomes.

Socioeconomic and environmental factors that impact vegetable production

Objective: To analyze the factors that contribute to the reduction of vegetable production in the San Vicente Chicoloapan ejido. Design/Methodology/Approach: Sixty out of a total of 150 ejidatarios who produced vegetables in 2022 participated in a convenience sampling. Producers who agreed to be surveyed were interviewed in their plots. Results: The ejidatarios have an average of 1.47 agricultural ha (minimum: 1 ha; maximum: 5 ha), considering both irrigated and rainfed lands. The use of the sample studied was divided as follows: 43.3% of the owners sold their land to developers who built housing units and new houses; 38.3% cultivated their own land or those they rented; and 18.3% rented out their lands. The ejidatarios suffer from vegetable theft, particularly pumpkin (45.0%), artichoke (31.7%), onion (13.3%), chard (8.3%), and cabbage (1.7%). Study Limitations/Implications: Designing a random sample was impossible given the lack of access to a register of ejidatarios. Estimating the harvested area or estimating yield based on the production volume was impossible, since producers grow several crops in their plots, besides vegetables. Findings/Conclusions: Vegetable production in the San Vicente Chicoloapan ejido, State of Mexico, is at risk of disappearing, as a consequence of economic and social issues and a lack of support. The ejidatarios who still grow vegetables have tried to mitigate these problems; however, their future as producers is severely limited and older people have chosen to sell their land, which are used by developers to build houses.

Maintenance Culture and Practices of Government Staff Housing Units in Longido District, Arusha-Tanzania

Maintenance Culture and Practices of Government Staff Housing Units in Longido District, Arusha-Tanzania

Electricity Bill Savings from Reduced Household Energy Consumption in Apartment Complexes

Apartments account for 64.6% of all housing units in the Republic of Korea, and most of them receive electricity under a contract, which includes a progressive rate plan. Recently, due to the electrification of energy used in homes and the growing adoption of electric vehicles, electricity consumption in apartment complexes has been gradually increasing. Given the characteristics of the progressive rate system, an increase in electricity usage results in a significant higher rise in electricity bills. Thus, an effective alternative is required to reduce electricity bills for each household. In this paper, the savings in electricity bills achieved by reducing household electricity usage are analyzed from both apartment complex and individual household perspectives, using metering data from 13,332 households. When households are sorted by the amount of savings in descending order, the resulting values are found to follow a negative exponential curve. This indicates that the benefits from reducing electricity usage in households with higher saving are significantly larger compared to other ones. We analyzed bill savings when electricity usage reductions were selectively applied to the top 10%, 20%, and 30% of households with the largest savings. From the results, it is found that the largest savings in electricity bills for households are achieved when usage reductions are applied to the top 10% of households. It is expected that this amount of savings would encourage these households to reduce their electricity consumption. Additionally, it is found that the savings for apartment complexes and the total savings for selected households are not the same, resulting in changes in the bills for households that do not reduce their usage. From the results, it was observed that when the usage reduction of selected households is small or the proportion of households reducing usage is low, the common area charges for non-reducing households tend to increase, leading to higher electricity bills. On the contrary, when the usage reduction of selected households is large or the proportion of households reducing usage is high, the common area charges for non-reducing households tend to decrease, resulting in lower electricity bills.

Four Models of Wastewater-Based Monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 Complementing Individual Screening in Jail Settings.

Objectives. To describe 4 unique models of operationalizing wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in jails of graduated sizes and different architectural designs. Methods. We summarize how jails of Cook County, Illinois (average daily population [ADP] 6000); Fulton County, Georgia (ADP 3000); Middlesex County, Massachusetts (ADP 875); and Washington, DC (ADP 1600) initiated WBS between 2020 and 2023. Results. Positive signals for SARS-CoV-2 via WBS can herald a new onset of infections in previously uninfected jail housing units. Challenges implementing WBS included political will and realized value, funding, understanding the building architecture, and the need for details in the findings. Conclusions. WBS has been effective for detecting outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in different sized jails, those with both dorm- and cell-based architectural design. Public Health Implications. Given its effectiveness in monitoring SARS-CoV-2, WBS provides a model for population-based surveillance in carceral facilities for future infectious disease outbreaks. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(11):1232-1241. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307785).

An Exploration of Climate-Responsive Design Strategies Employed by El-Miniawy Brothers in Southern Algeria

In an age marked by globalisation, contemporary design, and diminishing regional distinctiveness, particularly concerning its impact on climate, the integration of passive strategies and climate-responsive design emerges as a critical element in forward-thinking architecture that embraces the unique climatic conditions of various locales. Consequently, this paper offers an in-depth examination of the climate-responsive design implemented by two pioneering architects who specialised primarily in housing projects in Southern Algeria. This investigation is further enriched by on-site measurements conducted on selected case studies. The findings reveal that, on typical scorching days, the actual indoor operational temperatures in 400 housing units situated in El-Oued range from 20.1 °C to 38.9 °C, whereas in 600 housing units in Ouled Djellal, temperatures fluctuate between 31.2 °C and 35.4 °C. It is noteworthy that outdoor air temperatures can soar to as high as 40 °C in El-Oued and 43 °C in Ouled Djellal during peak hours. The architectural achievements of the El-Miniawy brothers in Algeria's southern region stand as tangible examples of architecture that adeptly adapts to the harsh, arid climate. This study underscores the importance of climate-responsive design and passive strategies and offers valuable insights into the indoor thermal environment. Ultimately, this research is poised to inspire architects and decision-makers in their future housing projects.

Land Stewardship and Development Behaviors Under an Ecological-Impact-Weighted Land Value Tax Scheme: A Proof-of-Concept Agent-Based Model

Sprawling land development patterns have exacerbated ecological degradation, social fragmentation, and public health problems. Perverse incentives arise from the ability to privatize collectively created value in land rents and socialize ecological costs. Land value taxation (LVT) has been shown to encourage urban infill development by reducing or eliminating rent-seeking behavior in land markets. However, despite its purported benefits, this tax reform is value monistic in its definition of optimal land use and, therefore, does little to address the lack of non-market information to inform land use decisions. We propose an ecological-impact-weighted land value taxation policy (ELVT) which incorporates the ecological footprint of land use into one’s land value tax burden. We test both proposed policies (LVT and ELVT) relative to a “status quo” (SQ) property tax scheme, utilizing a conceptual spatially explicit agent-based model of land use behaviors and housing development. Our findings suggest that both tax interventions can increase the capital intensity and decrease the land intensity of housing development. Furthermore, both tax interventions can lead to a net profit loss for speculators and a decrease in the average housing unit price. The ELVT scheme is shown to significantly increase urban nature provisions and dampen the loss of ecological value across a region.

Sense of Community and Recreation Participation of Latinx Residents on the Bloomingdale Trail: Greenway Use in a Gentrifying Community

The goal of this study was to explore how the recreational use of the Bloomingdale Trail, a greenway located in gentrifying communities in Chicago, IL, was associated with a sense of community among long-term Latinx residents living in subsidized affordable housing units. Using a quantitative-dominant sequential mixed methods research design, we conducted surveys and interviews with long-term Latinx residents of three communities surrounding the Trail. The findings showed that higher recreational program participation on the Bloomingdale Trail was positively associated with visitation, sense of community, and improved perceptions of a sense of community compared to before the Trail opened. Also, higher Trail satisfaction was positively associated with sense of community and improved perceptions of a sense of community compared to before the Trail opened. Qualitative data were used to explain and elaborate on these findings.

An Exploration of Climate-Responsive Design Strategies Employed by El-Miniawy Brothers in Southern Algeria

In an age marked by globalisation, contemporary design, and diminishing regional distinctiveness, particularly concerning its impact on climate, the integration of passive strategies and climate-responsive design emerges as a critical element in forward-thinking architecture that embraces the unique climatic conditions of various locales. Consequently, this paper offers an in-depth examination of the climate-responsive design implemented by two pioneering architects who specialised primarily in housing projects in Southern Algeria. This investigation is further enriched by on-site measurements conducted on selected case studies. The findings reveal that, on typical scorching days, the actual indoor operational temperatures in 400 housing units situated in El-Oued range from 20.1 °C to 38.9 °C, whereas in 600 housing units in Ouled Djellal, temperatures fluctuate between 31.2 °C and 35.4 °C. It is noteworthy that outdoor air temperatures can soar to as high as 40 °C in El-Oued and 43 °C in Ouled Djellal during peak hours. The architectural achievements of the El-Miniawy brothers in Algeria's southern region stand as tangible examples of architecture that adeptly adapts to the harsh, arid climate. This study underscores the importance of climate-responsive design and passive strategies and offers valuable insights into the indoor thermal environment. Ultimately, this research is poised to inspire architects and decision-makers in their future housing projects.

Public Policies for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Mexico

In Latin America, the energy crisis has worsened due to the dependence on energy services and fossil fuel imports from highly industrialized countries at prices established by the international market; this is particularly relevant to the construction industry, which presents a significant deficit in optimal energy consumption. Hence, some governments have established public policies to maximize the efficiency of these services and, at the same time, minimize the carbon footprint. In this research study, we reviewed the public policies, strategies, and incentives for energy efficiency (EE) implementation in the residential sector established by the Mexican government. A scoping review methodology was chosen and implemented in the following steps: 1. Research inquiry identification. 2. Determination of the relevant literature and studies. 3. The literature selection. 4. Data graphing. 5. Results collection, overview, and submission. In this systematic review, we identified five mandatory standards (NOM-008-ENER-2001, NOM-009-ENER-2014, NOM-018-ENER-2011, NOM-020-ENER-2011, and NOM-024-ENER-2012), six optional standards, four strategies (Green Mortgage, Integral Sustainable Improvement in Existing Housing, ECOCASA, and NAMA), and three kinds of incentives (green bonds, credit and interest rates (Green Mortgage, FIDE, and Ecocasa), and taxes (Income Tax Reduction)). As a result of the implementation of the above, as of December 2020, NAMA financed 5106 developers of 38 projects in 15 states; contributed to a reduction of 126,779 tons of CO2; and aided 19,913 people. From 2013 to December 2023, EcoCasa subsidized 71,440 households for a total of 224 projects in 25 states; contributed to a reduction of 2.6 million tons of CO2; aided 285,760 Mexicans; and issued EcoCasa certificates for 3,473,556 m2. The results of the EE indicators in residential buildings showed an increase in the housing unit number as well as an increase in household appliances, with those based on power consumption prevailing. The residential sector ranks third in power consumption in Mexico, consuming an estimated 790 pj, of which 76% corresponds to thermal energy and 24% to electric power. Among countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico has achieved an Energy Transition Index of 62%.

Tradeoffs and synergy between material cycles and greenhouse gas emissions: Opportunities in a rapidly growing housing stock

AbstractManagement of building materials’ stocks and flows is a major opportunity for circularity and de‐carbonization. We examine the relationship between material consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under different scenarios in Israel, a developed country with an already high population density that expects tremendous growth in its housing stock by 2050. We created scenarios of varying housing unit sizes and additional material efficiency practices: fabrication yield, lifetime extension, material substitution, recycling, and their combination, resulting in 18 scenarios. In each scenario, the material flows and stocks needed to supply the housing demand and the resulting life‐cycle GHG emissions are quantified. No single material efficiency practice achieves a reduction in all indicators, suggesting a potential conflict between circular economy and decarbonization policies: The material substitution scenario allows for the biggest reduction in material consumption (12%–40% concrete reduction and 15%–51% steel reduction in 2050 compared with the baseline), while the recycling scenario achieves the biggest reduction in GHG emissions (22%–43% reduction in 2050 compared with the baseline). In the long‐term, the life‐extension scenario reduces most demolition waste. These findings can help policymakers and stakeholders consider the impacts of raw materials consumption and implement this knowledge in light of their priorities in policy packages. The results suggest a narrow window of opportunity within the next decade to influence material consumption and emissions to 2050. The findings could also shed light on the sustainability trajectories of other countries with similarly rapidly developing building stock, which have received little attention in this field.

Risk-contamination and Dilution: Advancing the RNR Model in Prison Settings

The Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) model posits separating lower from higher-risk individuals to avoid “risk contamination.” In a prison setting, policies and restrictions lead to mixing different populations within a housing unit. While this may pose a threat, it may allow higher-risk individuals to gradually promote through security levels, reducing risk. We term this “risk dilution.” The current study compares the infraction behavior of individuals that are over-classified (housed higher than their risk) and those under-classified (housed lower than their risk). Using mixed-effect models with a large ( N = 52,000) sample of incarcerated men, findings demonstrate support for both contamination and dilution. Policy implications identify the impact of these two processes on overcrowded prisons and the consolidation of housing units post decarceration.

Investment Feasibility Analysis Of Resort X Development Project In Labuan Bajo Using Discounted Cash Flow And Monte Carlo Method

In general, tourist destinations in Labuan Bajo are synonymous with Komodo National Park which is one of the seven wonders of the world. This is the background for the developer to invest in the construction of resort X in Labuan Bajo. It is hoped that the X resort area can become an attraction for tourists in Labuan Bajo. In this study, a financial feasibility analysis was carried out to find out whether or not the investment to be made was feasible. The methods used are discounted cash flow (DCF) and Monte Carlo. The X resort construction project is built on an area of 113,396 m2 and is planned to build 263 units of shop houses and 1 unit of 4-star hotels as well as supporting buildings such as back of house (BOH) buildings, public toilets, floating libraries, arrival pavilions. The results of the analysis using the DCF method show a positive NPV value of Rp 87,895,000,000 and an IRR value of 17.66% greater than the Minimum Attractive Rate of Return (MARR) value of 10%, so that the project can be declared feasible to be implemented, as well as the Monte Carlo method which shows a positive NPV value of Rp 35,423,000,000 and an IRR value of 12.82% greater than the MARR value. Therefore, based on the results of the analysis of these two methods, the X resort project in Labuan Bajo can be declared feasible to be implemented.

Examining surplus and shortage in occupied housing preference in Malaysia

Purpose Housing sufficiency is a critical indicator of national development and growth. However, in most countries, housing affordability remains a significant challenge, leading to a mismatch between housing supply and demand. The purpose of this study is to investigate the housing preferences, current occupation and the resulting surplus and shortage across various housing types. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a survey, and the analysis focused on quantifying the mismatch between preferred and occupied housing types. Findings Results revealed significant disparities between housing preferences and current occupation, with some housing types experiencing surplus and others facing shortages. The findings uncovered a 23% discrepancy in housing demand and supply. The sensitivity results indicate that 30% of the respondents currently living in a particular type of housing unit would choose to live there if given the option. The specificity results show that 90% of respondents not living in a particular type of housing unit would continue to avoid choosing it. Housing price, income, ethnicity, race and location are the major drivers of the housing preferences. Practical implications Developers can align their projects with consumer preferences to minimize surplus and shortages. Financial institutions may consider these insights when tailoring mortgage products to meet the diverse needs of potential homebuyers. This research provides a valuable foundation for strategic planning and policy formulation aimed at enhancing housing sufficiency and socioeconomic development in Malaysia. Originality/value This study lays the foundation for future research and for incentive mechanisms for homebuyers and developers. The results are useful to policymakers, developers, banks, consultants, housing associations and academics.

Benefits by Luck: A Study of Lotteries as a Selection Method for Government Programs

Lotteries could be a just and cost-effective procedure to distribute government benefits in contexts of oversubscription, with the added benefit of allowing assessments of the impact of government programs. However, little is known about whether there is public support for employing lotteries in this context. We examine support for a lottery that selects recipients of new government-built housing units in Brazil and find that neither lotteries participants nor the general public supports their use. We arrive at this result by employing a three-pronged multi-method approach. Quasi-experimental analysis of an original survey of lottery participants reveals that support not only is tepid, but substantially higher among winners than non-winners. In-depth interviews suggest that applicants believe lotteries miss the most deserving beneficiaries. A general population survey experiment reveals that lotteries are not perceived as just or efficient when compared to alternative beneficiary selection methods. While sometimes normatively desirable, the use of lotteries for government programs enjoys limited popular support.

THE HOUSING UNITS OF THE POSITIVE CLIMATE NEIGHBORHOOD PEDRA BRANCA SC/BR

In response to the global climate crisis, urgent measures are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. As energy consumption accounts for 36% of total emissions, and buildings contribute significantly to both direct and indirect emissions, it is crucial to enhance the energy efficiency and self-sufficiency of buildings. This article conducts a case study to evaluate the formal structure, spatial layout, and sustainable strategies employed in residential units within the Pedra Branca neighborhood (Santa Catarina, Brazil), using the methodology developed by Brandão and Schneider. The findings indicate that the housing units predominantly consist of three bedrooms, along with two to four bathrooms. The analysis revealed partial integration between the kitchen and service areas, with full integration being less common. Corridor layouts were found to make the greatest contribution to sustainability and internal space quality. Although some configurations did not directly support cross-ventilation, there was a clear focus on environmental comfort and the use of passive design strategies. This study highlights the potential of such configurations to improve energy performance and contribute to the development of climate-positive neighborhoods.

Understanding and Addressing Non-Payment of Housing Maintenance Fees in Klang Valley: Challenges and Solutions

Housing maintenance fees are essential to maintaining the standard and operation of residential communities. However, non-payment issues present serious problems to the Joint Management Body (JMB) and residents due to various issues related to maintenance are delaying to be solved. Thus, this study objectively assesses the role and relationship of JMB with the respondents toward residents’ commitment and support in making payments for housing maintenance. A quantitative approach through a survey questionnaire was distributed among 31 respondents of high-rise buildings in Klang Valley for a pilot study. Four (4) independent variables were involved: the role of JMB, the relationship between residents and JMB, facilities provided, and safety and security towards the dependent variable of resident’s commitment and support. The findings show that most respondents agree that any problems related to the housing unit should be consulted with JMB and residents should get permission from JMB before proceeding with any necessary action. This study is expected to benefit JMB and residents in ensuring a sustainable harmonious housing environment in the high-rise buildings and thus contribute to the achievement of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Reaching the unreachable through action research? Thomas Mathiesen and the Nordic socio-legal tradition

Thomas Mathiesen has been a source of inspiration for research in critical sociology, criminology, and the sociology of law for many decades. Mathiesen’s impact extends far beyond the academic realm, as his action research lives on. This intervention discusses the ongoing influence of Mathiesen’s action research approach, which integrates research, education, and societal impact. This is illustrated through an action research project we conducted in Denmark’s largest marginalised living area, where over 1,000 public housing units are being demolished, affecting approximately 2,500 residents. In the project, we experimented with different outreach legal aid approaches, considering our own positionalities, to gain knowledge about how to establish a legal aid infrastructure that could reach the unreachable. An ethical dilemma we faced was how we could engage with the people without inadvertently naming issues, particularly legal problems, of which they might not be aware. If the residents were unaware of these issues or did not consider them important, could we then inadvertently create and juridify new problems for them? Moreover, this intervention discusses how, in alignment with Mathiesen, we combined legal aid with legal clinical education, that is, training law students to become legal aid workers. We conclude that Mathiesen’s approach remains relevant, and by integrating his action research with decolonial thoughts, new insights may emerge to reach the seemingly unreachable.

PENGARUH KARAKTERISTIK UNIT HUNIAN TERHADAP KEPUASAN BERMUKIM PENGHUNI PERUMAHAN

The rapid population growth and urbanization in major cities across various developing countries have increased the demand for urban infrastructure, including housing. As projected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by the year 2030, more than 60% of the population is expected to reside in urban areas. Meeting housing needs is a fundamental requirement for humans that evolves according to different life stages. This study aims to examine the effect of housing characteristics on residential satisfaction in simple housing in the city of Kendari. The research type is explanatory, with the research population consisting of type 36 houses. The sample size is set at 195 units, and data collection was carried out using questionnaires. The data were analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS version 24 to obtain causal relationships between the variables developed in this study. The results indicate that the effect of housing unit characteristics on residential satisfaction has a path coefficient of 0.01 with a probability level of 0.968. These findings suggest a positive effect of housing unit characteristics; however, this effect is not significant in relation to the level of residential satisfaction among occupants of simple housing.

Life for rent: Evolving residential infrastructure in London and the rise of Build-to-Rent

Build-to-Rent (BTR) developments have expanded rapidly in the UK since 2013, often advertised as providing better quality rented accommodation for university-educated Millennials than available elsewhere in the private rental sector. However, the implications of this type of housing development, and especially its affordability, are poorly understood at the city scale, partly due to a lack of evidence of where these developments cluster and what they add to the housing stock in terms of property type, amenities and cost. This article draws on data relating to 373 BTR developments in London (representing over 40,000 housing units) to show that developments are clustered where transport-related infrastructural investments have opened ‘rent gaps’ that can be exploited by developers. Exploring how these BTR schemes are marketed, the article shows that this accommodation is typically provided through new short-term ‘subscription services’ which allow developers to rent property at a premium. Questioning whether BTRs really add affordable ‘local’ homes to the city, the article concludes that BTR provides ‘quick-fix’ rental accommodation which is doing little to solve London’s housing crisis. We focus on the London BTR market and how the expansion of this housing type is reshaping the sociospatial geographies of the city.