Improving Housing Quality Research Articles

Recommendation for Self-Help Housing Stimulus Assistance (BSPS) Recipient Using Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods

The Housing and Settlement Area Office aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of selecting beneficiaries for the Self-Help Housing Assistance (BSPS) program by using the Weighted Product (WP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. This study was conducted in Sungkai Tengah Subdistrict, North Lampung, involving six criteria: land ownership, employment, house condition, income, independence, and household size.The WP method is used to determine the weight of each criterion by calculating the product of the criteria values raised to the power of their respective weights, which helps in ranking the alternatives. TOPSIS is applied to identify the best alternative by comparing the geometric distance of each option to the ideal solution, which is either the maximum or minimum value of each criterion The results indicate that the WP and TOPSIS methods can provide more objective and transparent rankings. The application of these methods resulted in the highest ranking for ID V3 with a vector V score of 0.1317. The decision support system developed from this research is expected to assist the Housing and Settlement Area Office in distributing aid more accurately, fairly, and efficiently, thereby supporting the government's goals in improving housing quality and spatial planning

Examination of Housing Quality in The Peri-Urban Areas of Akure, Nigeria

Rapid urban population expansion, high living costs, and a need for affordable housing all encourage migration to Akure’s peri-urban districts. This drive has led to increased land utilization for housing development in peri-urban areas. This study evaluated housing quality in the peri-urban areas of Oba-Ile, Oda, and Ibule-Soro in Akure. Households were the unit of analysis, with one household head per building selected for questionnaire administration. Based on an average household size of five people per family and five households per building in Ondo State, the total number of households in the three locations was 47,110. From the 47,110 households, 800 households (1.7%) were randomly selected for the questionnaire administration. Data from the field survey were subjected to statistical analysis. The results revealed that some buildings were structurally unsound; most buildings had corrugated iron roofs and lacked sanitation infrastructure; and open defecation was commonplace, particularly in Ibule-Soro. These findings call for better urban planning and investment in basic amenities to improve housing quality and living standards in peri-urban areas.

Kualitas Bangunan, Fasilitas, dan Lokasi Perumahan sebagai Faktor Penentu Tingkat Kepuasan Penghuni

This study aims to explore the role of building quality, facilities, and housing location in determining the level of occupant satisfaction. Using quantitative methods with SEM-Smart PLS analysis techniques, this study analyzes primary and secondary data collected from residents of several housing complexes. The analysis results indicate that housing location significantly affects occupant satisfaction, while building quality and facilities do not show a statistically significant effect. These findings underline the importance of selecting a strategic location in housing development to improve occupant satisfaction. This study suggests that developers pay more attention to the location aspect in housing planning and development to achieve optimal levels of occupant satisfaction. Thus, the results of this study can be a reference for stakeholders in developing policies and strategies to improve housing quality

Health effects of holistic housing renovation in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in the Netherlands: a qualitative exploration among residents and professionals

BackgroundHolistic housing renovations combine physical housing improvements with social and socioeconomic interventions (e.g. referral to social services, debt counselling, involvement in decision-making, promoting social cohesion). In a deprived neighbourhood in Utrecht, the Netherlands, this paper examined residents’ and professionals’ experiences, ideas, and perceptions regarding holistic housing renovation, its health effects, and underlying mechanisms explaining those effects.MethodsSemi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 social housing residents exposed to holistic housing renovation, and 12 professionals involved in either the physical renovation or social interventions implemented. Residents were interviewed in various renovation stages (before, during, after renovation). Transcripts were deductively and inductively coded using qualitative software.ResultsResidents experienced and professionals acknowledged renovation stress caused by nuisance from construction work (noise, dust), having to move stuff around, and temporary moving; lack of information and control; and perceived violation of privacy. Involvement in design choices was appreciated, and mental health improvement was expected on the long term due to improved housing quality and visual amenity benefits. Social contact between residents increased as the renovation became topic for small talk. Few comments were made regarding physical health effects. The interviews revealed a certain amount of distrust in and dissatisfaction with the housing corporation, construction company, and other authorities.ConclusionsRenovation stress, aggravated by lack of information and poor accessibility of housing corporation and construction company, negatively affects mental health and sense of control. Potential stress relievers are practical help with packing and moving furniture, and increased predictability by good and targeted communication. Social interventions can best be offered after renovation, when residents live in their renovated apartment and the nuisance and stress from the renovation is behind them. Social partners can use the period leading up to the renovation to show their faces, offer practical help to reduce renovation stress, and increase residents’ trust in their organization and authorities in general. This might also contribute to residents’ willingness to accept help with problems in the social domain after renovation.

Household Environments and Functional Decline Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: Variations by Gender, Age, and Residence.

This study examined the associations between household social, economic, and physical environments and the trajectory of functional limitations over time among middle-aged and older adults in China, and how this relationship differs by gender, age, and residence. Linear growth curve models were applied to a sample of 13,564 respondents aged 45 years and older from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2011-2018). Living alone, particularly for rural, female, and older respondents, was associated with a faster functional decline when compared to living with a spouse and without children. Improved housing quality was associated with a slower functional decline. Living with young descendants and without adult children for urban residents and a lower expenditure per capita for younger respondents were associated with a faster functional decline. These findings suggest that policies aimed at enhancing living conditions have the potential to improve physical functioning of older adults.

Association between Hometown Landholdings and Housing Quality of Rural Migrants in Urban Areas: Evidence from China

Urbanization progress in developing countries is reflected in the urban living conditions of their rural migrants. Housing quality, in particular, is linked to migrants’ social integration and development of human capital. In China, where urban housing is highly stratified by urban citizenship via the “hukou” or household registration system, improving housing quality is a top priority for the central government in its pursuit of human-centered urbanization. Despite some social and economic elements affecting migrants’ housing quality being documented, few studies have analyzed the determinants of rural migrants’ housing quality from the perspective of rural landholdings or possession of use rights of rural lands, which is endowed by the land system of China. Using large micro-data from the China Migrant Dynamic Survey (CMDS), this study investigates the association between hometown landholdings and rural migrants’ housing quality in their host cities. The empirical results suggest that possessing rural landholdings in their hometown is negatively correlated with rural migrants’ housing quality in their host cities, wherein rural migrants’ hukou transfer intention is found as an intermediary factor. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of the relationship across demographic characteristics and regions was investigated. In addition, short-term revenue derived from hometown landholdings is also verified to have a very limited positive effect on migrants’ housing quality. Land transfer policies customized for subgroups of rural migrants across sociological attributes and urban stratification are concluded finally.

Housing-Sensitive Health Conditions Can Predict Poor-Quality Housing.

Improving housing quality may improve residents' health, but identifying buildings in poor repair is challenging. We developed a method to improve health-related building inspection targeting. Linking New York City Medicaid claims data to Landlord Watchlist data, we used machine learning to identify housing-sensitive health conditions correlated with a building's presence on the Watchlist. We identified twenty-three specific housing-sensitive health conditions in five broad categories consistent with the existing literature on housing and health. We used these results to generate a housing health index from building-level claims data that can be used to rank buildings by the likelihood that their poor quality is affecting residents' health. We found that buildings in the highest decile of the housing health index (controlling for building size, community district, and subsidization status) scored worse across a variety of housing quality indicators, validating our approach. We discuss how the housing health index could be used by local governments to target building inspections with a focus on improving health.

Healthcare Access Worsened for Women in Precarious Housing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

This research aims to gain an in-depth understanding of precariously housed women's experiences related to health and access to health care during the COVID-19 pandemic using a grounded theory approach. Qualitative data were obtained through interviews with 17 precariously housed women from Izmir, Turkey. Poor health among most participants was primarily attributed to unfavorable living conditions and weakened community networks. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing health issues due to barriers in accessing basic needs. Food insecurity was widespread during the pandemic and the critical role of aid and the inadequacy of social assistance in securing food were emphasized. Women's health perceptions were significantly shaped by gender, and gendered caregiving duties have restricted women's healthcare access. Access to healthcare was also limited by financial challenges, with health insurance being a crucial determinant. Longer waiting times, often exacerbated by the appointment system, and language were significant barriers to healthcare access. The findings propose that the participants were precarized by the blindness of COVID-19 measures to vulnerabilities, which resulted in deeper inequalities in housing, food, employment, and healthcare access. This research addresses the political, commercial, and social determinants of precariously housed women's health. Improving precariously housed women's health and wellbeing requires implementation of public policies targeting to improve housing quality, provide targeted assistance to food insecurity, promote gender inclusiveness, and foster gender empowerment.

Psychological effects of mould and damp in the home: scoping review

People spend a substantial amount of time at home, so it is important that homes are safe, healthy environments. Damp and mould represent common housing problems but little is known about their potential psychological effects. This scoping review explores existing literature on the relationship between household damp/mould and psychological wellbeing. Systematic searches of six databases were conducted, supplemented by hand-searches. Thirty studies were included; 21/24 (87.5%) found significant univariate associations between damp/mould and psychological outcomes and 13/17 (76.5%) found that damp/mould remained significant independent predictors in multivariate analyses. Qualitative data from six studies revealed that participants feared potential physical health consequences of damp/mould and felt self-conscious about clothes/homes smelling damp. Our findings suggest that exposure to damp and mould accounts for a significant amount of variance in psychological outcomes. Improving housing quality, ensuring healthcare professionals are aware of the psychological health effects of damp/mould and campaigns to educate the public about how to remove damp and mould may be useful.

Analyzing the spatial determinants of housing prices in Dammam, Saudi Arabia: an AHP approach

Purpose This study aims to examine the determinants that influence housing prices in Dammam metropolitan area (DMA), Saudi Arabia, by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model. The study considers determinants such as building age (BLD AG), building size (BLD SZ), building condition (BLD CN), access to parking (ACC PK), proximity to transport infrastructure (PRX TRS), proximity to green areas (PRX GA) and proximity to amenities (PRX AM). Design/methodology/approach The AHP decision model was used to assess the determinants of housing prices in DMA, using a pair-wise comparison matrix to determine the influence of the investigated factors on housing prices. Findings The study’s results revealed that building size (BLD SZ) was the most critical determinant affecting housing prices in DMA, with a weight of 0.32, trailed by proximity to transport infrastructure (PRX TRS), with a weight of 0.24 as the second most influential housing price determinant in DMA. The third most important determinant was proximity to amenities (PRX AM), with a weight of 0.18. Originality/value This study addresses a research gap by using the AHP model to assess the spatial determinants of housing prices in DMA, Saudi Arabia. Few studies have used this model in examining housing price factors, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia. Consequently, the findings of this study provide unique insights for policymakers, housing developers and other stakeholders in understanding the importance of building size, proximity to transport infrastructure and proximity to amenities in influencing housing prices in DMA. By considering these determinants, stakeholders can make informed decisions to improve housing quality and prices in the region.

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.

Post-Handover Housing Quality Management and Standards in Korea

Housing quality is a subject of dispute worldwide, and these disputes are increasing due to the significant differences in the views of producers and consumers on quality standards. To arbitrate disputes, an objective evaluation of housing quality is necessary. In Korea, disputes over housing quality in the post-handover stage result in lawsuits, thus becoming a social issue. This study analyzed the results of lawsuits against housing complexes in Korea. The ratio of defect repair cost to construction cost (DRCCC) was adopted as an indicator, and the quality level of the building was evaluated using a control chart to select failures. The findings showed that there were more cases where the construction cost was small, the housing quality was poor, the deviation was wide, and the quality defect exceeded the limit level of the control chart. To improve housing quality, it is necessary to strengthen quality management, to control the quality within the management limit, and to adjust standards by reflecting the consumer’s viewpoint.

The types of spatial adaptability based on user preferences of low-income apartments in erbil city

Spatial adaptability is the ability of floor plans to adapt to families' changing needs and requirements over time. Apartment floor plans that are not designed according to the user's preferences cannot meet his or her changing needs over time. So, an adaptable apartment floor plan is considered a desirable alternative that can provide various solutions to households' changing spatial needs in the present and the future. Future low-income apartment designs will be more effective if users select the most appropriate types of floor plan adaptability for their needs and culture. The aim of this study is to identify user preferences for the types of adaptability of floor plans and assess the adaptability capacity of low-income apartment floor plans based on those preferences. Based on the research criteria, six low-income multi-family residential buildings in Erbil City were chosen as case studies. The questionnaire was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 363 participants. The study used mixed methodologies, including a quantitative questionnaire survey and a qualitative case study analysis method, to answer the research questions. This study concluded that users did not prefer all the types of spatial adaptability; they preferred the ones that most suited their needs, lifestyles, and preferences. Low-income apartment floor plans didn’t support user preferences, and residents of low-income apartments in Erbil City could not adapt their apartment floor plans according to their preferences. According to the findings of this study, there should be a greater emphasis on the future design of low-income apartment floor plans in order to meet the changing space needs and requirements of families. This study can help architects and policymakers improve housing quality in Erbil City by considering user preferences for space adaptation when designing low-income apartment floor plans in the future.

Provision of Housing for Residents of the Far East: Statistical Analysis

Building on state statistics, the authors analyzed the situation with providing housing opportunities for residents of the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD). The objective of the study is to define the housing stock characteristics of the macroregion. Based on the methods of statistical analysis applied by the authors, the following parameters of the FEFD housing stock are identified: differentiation of regions – constituent entities of the Russian Federation in terms of housing provision and housing improvement, the degree of housing satisfaction according toresident surveys, debt on housing loans and affordability of rental housing. The paper demonstrates differences in the positions of FEFD regions. The article concludes that additional funding of the FEFD regions through state programs since 2014 has not affected the growth of the FEFD housing stock, which in terms of specific indicators of housing provision, is below the Russian average (2018–2020). The authors argue that for several FEFD regions, there is a dire need to improve housing quality (this applies particularly to the Republic of Buryatia and the Trans-Baikal Territory).

The impact of poor housing and indoor air quality on respiratory health in children.

The reader should understand how housing quality and indoor air quality affect respiratory health in children.The reader should understand which children are at most risk of living in poor-quality housing.The reader should understand what policy recommendations have been made and what actions need to be undertaken to improve housing quality and respiratory health in children and young people.

Energy poverty in the Energy Community region: Interrogating policy formulation and coverage.

The capacity of the state to develop and implement policy at the complex nexus of energy infrastructure, social inequality and housing is indicative of the political priorities of governing structures and, by extension, the nature of statecraft more generally. We compare and contrast the energy poverty amelioration policies of two former Yugoslav and two post-Soviet states located outside the European Union, but seeking to join its regulatory sphere - Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine and Georgia - against the background of deep and persistent patterns of domestic energy hardship. We are particularly interested in uncovering the time horizons, socio-technical systems and target constituencies of different policy measures, as well as energy sector-specific responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that most states in the region have done little to address some of the more substantive challenges around improving housing quality, energy efficiency and gender inequality. However, energy poverty is present in the policy lexicon of all case study countries, and Ukraine, in particular, has advanced a number of more sophisticated approaches and programmes.

Physical and mental health impacts of housing improvement: A quasi-experimental evaluation of in-situ slum redevelopment in India

The present study conducted a quasi-experimental, pre-post evaluation to investigate the influence of housing redevelopment of informal settlements on residents’ health and well-being and to identify the role of improvement in housing quality in health impacts. In total 125 women from three housing settlements in India (intervention and wait-listed control groups) participated in the study before and after redevelopment of their settlements. In the intervention group, an informal settlement housing was replaced with low-height apartment-style housing at the same site, resulting in improved housing quality. The study measured physical health, mental health, and quality of life scores of women before and after housing redevelopment, and concurrent housing quality improvement, and compared them to a wait-listed informal settlement. The health and quality of life scores improve two-and-a half years post-redevelopment in the intervention group in comparison to their pre-redevelopment scores. Health also improved in the wait-listed group but only for a subgroup which saw housing quality improvement. Further analysis shows that improvement in housing quality explains the change in health post-redevelopment, thus providing evidence for salutary impacts of improving housing quality.

Review of the Impact of Housing Quality on Inequalities in Health and Well-Being.

Housing quality is essential for population health and broader well-being. The World Health Organization Housing and health guidelines highlight interventions that protect occupants from cold and hot temperatures, injuries, and other hazards. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of ventilation standards. Housing standards are unevenly developed, implemented, and monitored globally, despite robust research demonstrating that retrofitting existing houses and constructing high-quality new ones can reduce respiratory, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases. Indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, and people with low incomes face cumulative disadvantages that are exacerbated by poor-quality housing. These can be partially ameliorated by community-based programs to improve housing quality, particularly for children and older people, who are hospitalized more often for housing-related illnesses. There is renewed interest among policy makers and researchers in the health and well-being of people in public and subsidized housing, who are disproportionately disadvantaged by avoidable housing-related diseases and injuries. Improving the overall quality of new and existing housing and neighborhoods has multiple cobenefits, including reducing carbon emissions.

Organized self-help housing in Pachacútec, Peru: Training women's groups in earthquake resistant housing construction

Ciudad Pachacútec is a suburban development scheme north of Lima, where deficiencies were great from the start. The main problem was the population’s safety in the sandy and arid urban landscapes, which are prone to earthquakes. The main objective of the NGO Estrategia - together with the municipality of Ventanilla - was to provide the self-builders with technical and organizational knowledge to improve housing quality. The NGO has developed effective programs to support women's groups in building earthquake-resistant houses. The result was that building materials were produced locally by households that were also trained in construction technology. Some families working together in groups, were able to start businesses. The developed model for earthquake resistant housing in New Pachacútec is effective and can be used in other areas alongside Peru’s Pacific coast, that are prone to earthquakes.

Did HOPE VI Move Communities to Opportunity? How Public Housing Redevelopment Affected Neighborhood Poverty, Racial Composition, and Resources 1990–2016

Public housing is a key federal investment, yet it has suffered severe underfunding and decay. HOPE VI sought to transform public housing by improving housing quality, deconcentrating poverty, and enhancing economic opportunities. Using rigorous quasi-experimental methods and an array of geocoded annual national administrative data from 1990 to 2016, we evaluated the effects of HOPE VI redevelopment on neighborhood composition and resources. After matching HOPE VI and control census tracts, we used a new flexible conditional difference-in-differences technique to estimate average treatment effects on the treated, accounting for varying treatment start dates and durations. Results show that HOPE VI redevelopment decreased tract poverty by 2.9 percentage points, an effect that remained relatively stable through 10 years postredevelopment, and increased median household incomes with no indication of rising affluence. These effects were most pronounced in high-poverty and predominantly Black tracts, and where public housing experienced more costly redevelopment or transitioned to mixed-income. HOPE VI redevelopments did not affect racial composition or the presence of institutional resources, social services, or commercial resources (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants). Results suggest partial success of HOPE VI. Additional policy levers are necessary to increase public housing residents’ access to neighborhood services that promote economic opportunities and well-being.