Improve Housing Conditions Research Articles

Waterborne Gastrointestinal Diseases and Child Mortality: A Study of Socioeconomic Inequality in Mexico

In Mexico, 1.9% of child mortality among children aged 3 to 15 years is attributed to waterborne gastrointestinal diseases (WGD). This study employs a generalized bivariate logit econometric model to simulate the relationships between mortality risks and seven explanatory variables. Based on the model results and sensitivity analysis of the estimated parameters, a set of policies was designed to reduce the likelihood of child mortality. The proposed strategy involves implementing the following public policies, primarily targeting communities with extreme and high marginalization: increasing access to drinking water, improving housing conditions, expanding parental basic education coverage, and providing nutrition and healthcare to children from an early age. The findings reveal that children who speak an indigenous language face a mortality risk from WGD that is three times higher than those who do not, while children who receive medical services have a 29% lower risk of mortality compared to those who do not have access to them. It is recommended to offer free medical care in indigenous languages within high-marginalization communities. The combined impact of these policies is expected to significantly reduce child mortality due to WGD.

"You're Just Stuck in a Hole, Really": Mechanisms of Structural Racism Through Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing in Canada.

Worldwide, migrant agricultural workers face poor housing conditions and related health challenges. A growing body of research has documented the substandard housing often occupied by this largely racialized population. Yet limited health research has examined mechanisms of structural racism that determine this group's poor housing and health. Drawing on interviews with 151 migrant farmworkers in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada, we documented the housing experiences faced by migrant agricultural workers and examined the role of structural racism in determining housing and health inequities. Our analysis identified four overlapping mechanisms by which migrants' housing and health were determined by structural racism: (1) scarcity, (2) segregation, (3) sacrifice, and (4) stagnation. These mechanisms both reinforced and normalized housing hardships, making it difficult for migrants to escape unsafe or inadequate housing. Our findings point to the need for immediate action to improve housing conditions for this population and to interrogate the racist design that keeps migrant workers at the margins of society.

The Impact of Regional Socio-Economic Policy on Housing Accessibility for Different Population Groups

The article examines the impact of regional socio-economic policy on housing accessibility for various population groups. It analyzes how economic, social, and political factors shape housing conditions in different regions. Special attention is given to how high housing prices and a shortage of affordable housing options affect the quality of life and social mobility of the population, as well as the vulnerability of specific social groups such as young families, low-income individuals, and retirees. The consequences of limited housing accessibility, including increased social tension and inequality, are discussed. Recommendations for improving regional policy are provided, with an emphasis on the need for a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainable improvements in housing conditions.

Animal welfare has priority: Swiss consumers’ preferences for animal welfare, greenhouse gas reductions and other sustainability improvements in dairy products

Animal welfare is at the forefront of the debate on sustainable food systems. However, animal welfare improvements often imply higher costs for producers. We explored whether Swiss consumers are willing to contribute monetarily to such improvements through an increase in prices of butter or milk. Based on a discrete choice experiment on 986 Swiss consumers, we investigated preferences for two animal welfare improvements in the dairy industry – loose housing and farm killing – as well as for organic production, origin of product, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. Furthermore, we investigated how consumers perceive a potential conflict between of GHG reductions and animal welfare concerns. Half of our sample faced increases in milk prices; the other half faced increases in butter prices. Findings indicate that animal welfare is of higher importance to consumers when compared to the other attributes under analysis. Consumers oppose GHG reductions associated with deteriorations in animal welfare and are willing to pay for improvements in housing conditions and a less stressful killing of the animals. Improvements in animal welfare could be crucial for dairy industry actors and provide strong arguments in communicating the benefits of dairy products to consumers.

Poor housing conditions in adolescence and housing hardship in adulthood: A longitudinal mediation analysis

Despite a growing body of literature on housing and its immediate effects on various life outcomes, little is known whether poor housing conditions in adolescence are related to housing outcomes in adulthood. This study examined the association between poor housing conditions in adolescence and housing hardship in adulthood, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying this association. We utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to investigate whether poor housing conditions in adulthood are longitudinally associated with housing hardship in adulthood. Moreover, we conducted formal mediation analyses, considering financial, educational, health, and behavioral factors to elucidate the mechanisms involved. Poor housing conditions in adolescence were positively associated with housing hardship in adulthood. Although the association appeared more pronounced for women than for men, this gender difference was not statistically significant. Educational attainment was the most significant mediator for both men and women. Financial, health, and behavioral factors played minimal or no mediating roles. The findings of this study suggest that improving housing conditions during adolescence and addressing the educational implications of poor housing conditions emerge as potential strategies for interventions aimed at promoting housing stability in later life.

Репродуктивное поведение и репродуктивные установки женщин среднего и позднего детородных возрастов в условиях Крайнего Севера (на примере Магаданской области)

Since the end of the last century, the northern and north-eastern regions of Russia have entered the final stage of demographic transition, in which the birth rate has fallen below the replacement level of generations, and the proportion of the elderly population has increased to its historical maximum against the background of a mass outflow of the working-age population to the central regions of the country. The demographic transition in this territory is heterogeneous and has its own specifics related to the structure of the economy and the nature of employment, migration flows, the historically established settlement pattern, unfavorable climatic and geographical conditions, and patterns of reproductive and consumer behavior. In order to study this specificity, 226 women aged 2544 were surveyed in Magadan Oblast. The subject of the study was women’s reproductive attitudes, their marital status, focus on having many children, few children or no children, identification of the expected, desired and actual number of children, factors leading to the refusal to have more children, as well as those stimulating childbearing, the problem of distribution of responsibilities in the family. The study has shown that family values are a priority for women of middle and late childbearing age, but they are associated with the demand for improved housing conditions and increased income.

Rural infrastructure development in the context of seasonal employment in agriculture of the Russian Federation

The article examines the little-studied issue of seasonal employment in the agricultural economy as a vector of the employment category, the importance of which increases every year. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to develop proposals for improving state regulation of social protection issues for seasonal workers in agriculture. The long-overdue issues of regulating the labor relations of Russian agricultural producers with workers employed for seasonal work in terms of social guarantees require timely solutions. Also on the agenda are the acute problems of providing basic living conditions for the employees involved, especially with regard to housing conditions, transport and telecommunications infrastructure. As of the end of 2022, only 72 % of rural settlements have paved roads connected to the public road network, and the proportion of households in rural settlements with Internet access amounted to 81.2 %. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the development of specific measures of state participation in the development of basic rural infrastructure and the creation of favorable living conditions for seasonal workers in agricultural production. In particular, measures are proposed to stimulate the involvement of seasonal workers with the prospect of improving housing conditions. The use of the mechanism of concession agreements in terms of the development of transport infrastructure and the application of proven foreign practices in the development of telecommunications infrastructure, taking into account the consolidation at the legislative level, will allow the most effective use of the workforce of seasonal workers in the agricultural sector.

What Is a Housing Shortage?

The United States has faced decades of increasing housing costs and declining construction. Many scholars and policymakers argue that additional supply is necessary to combat inadequate availability. Some critics, however, argue that the nation faces no housing shortage except for extremely low-income renters, which could be addressed by leveraging the existing stock and expanding the availability of rental vouchers. I argue instead for a continued emphasis on increasing supply as a mechanism to improve housing conditions. I show, first, that additional housing stock is associated with more units per additional resident in an area. Second, I demonstrate that increasing supply is positively associated with lower housing cost growth, though other issues, like household income growth, are likely more important variables in explaining affordability. Finally, I contest the use of metropolitan geographies as the most appropriate level for examining housing affordability, given the nation’s history of segregation and variation in access to opportunity.

After Forced Relocation: Assessing the Impact of Urban Regeneration on Residents’ Living Spaces in Wuhan, China

Tracking forced relocation due to urban regeneration can help deepen the understanding of urban regeneration beyond the perceived limits of displacement. Existing research has not sufficiently explored new experiences following the adjustment of China’s urban-regeneration policy. This article explores an approach that uses location-based service data to study forced relocatees for urban regeneration, which can be generalized across different regions to expand international knowledge and comparative research. Focusing on Wuhan, the impact of urban regeneration on the living environment of forced relocatees was evaluated from three aspects: housing conditions, neighborhood facilities, and jobs–housing commuting, using the difference-in-difference model. The research found: (1) most forced relocatees chose to live near their original residences; and (2) urban regeneration has improved housing conditions and decreased jobs–housing commuting for forced relocatees but has a negative effect on neighborhood facilities. We conclude by discussing a methodology for applying mobile phone data to urban-regeneration studies.

Respiratory-related deaths and associated factors in Alicho-Weriro district, southern Ethiopia: verbal autopsy data analysis

BackgroundRespiratory diseases disproportionately affect people living in resource-limited settings. However, obtaining information that explains respiratory-related deaths has been difficult, mainly due to a lack of medical certification of death and...

Balancing Sustainability: An Analysis of Habitat for Humanity Affiliates in Mississippi

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) support economically disadvantaged communities by improving housing conditions and building homes, despite limited resources. With rising housing costs and poverty causing homelessness and poor housing quality, NPOs’ efforts are crucial. However, operating constraints (such as financial, policy, and others), often lead NPOs to prioritize initial costs over sustainability and environmental impacts. Therefore, this research investigated the adoption, implementation, and routinization patterns for sustainability and green efforts in Mississippi (US) by a leading NPO. The research used a two-phased combined design methodology, with the first phase involving explorative design that involved the identification of criteria that led to selecting the affiliates of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) as the unit of analysis. The selected NPO (HFH) had 38 affiliates across Mississippi, US, at the time of the study. The second phase involved a cross-sectional design, with data collected by utilizing a structured telephone survey. All collected data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematic analysis. Twenty-five affiliates (66% response rate) participated in the study, and the results indicate that a small proportion of affiliates were actively adopting sustainability practices for projects constructed, and most were located in the southern part of the state. The research identified factors that lead to the routinization of sustainability practices, the most commonly used third-party benchmarking tools, and perceptions of NPOs towards such tools to evaluate the greenness of residential projects. Some crucial implications were identifying uneven project completion within HFH, limited adoption of green strategies, and perception of green certification as non-vital.

Unveiling the linkages between housing conditions and outward migration dynamics: A case study

This study seeks to enhance the existing body of knowledge by examining the intricate relationship between housing conditions and patterns of outward migration. By drawing on relevant literature and empirical evidence, the research explores the diverse ways in which housing conditions impact the decision-making process of individuals and communities regarding migration to foreign countries. The analysis encompasses a comprehensive investigation into the influence of housing affordability, quality, availability, and stability on the dynamics of external migration. Methodologically, a mixed approach is employed, combining quantitative analysis of demographic and housing data with qualitative correlation analysis to capture the multifaceted nature of the phenomenon under investigation. The study aims to examine the effects of external migration on key indicators of the housing stock, particularly the commissioning of housing and the provision of living space for the population. A thorough understanding of the complex relationship between housing conditions and outward migration dynamics can inform the development of targeted interventions and policies to address migration-related challenges and improve housing conditions, thus reducing population outflows. Moreover, the research outcomes contribute to broader discussions on sustainable urban development, equitable housing, and social cohesion in the context of contemporary migration trends.

Sustainable housing construction and population growth in the EAEU: A comparative approach

This paper presents a comparative study that investigates the relationship between housing construction rates and demographic development in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The study aims to explore the housing issue as a significant factor influencing demographic processes within the context of the disparate economic development among EAEU member countries. Employing econometric analysis, the study demonstrates a strong correlation between the commissioning of housing facilities and the population dynamics from 2005 to 2022. The findings highlight the interdependence between demographic growth and housing volume, suggesting the potential for developing a unified strategy for demographic and housing policies across EAEU countries and the international association as a whole. It is argued that improving housing conditions can foster demographic development by mitigating housing risks. Conversely, inadequate housing provision negatively impacts population reproduction dynamics. In conclusion, the paper offers recommendations for formulating a unified strategy in housing and demographic policies within the EAEU, based on the principles of housing demography.

Measuring Housing Affordability in the Philippines

This study evaluates housing affordability using other methods beyond the standard 30 percent income benchmark. By employing the Housing Affordability Index, which considers median family income and average housing prices, the authors find that most Filipino households are income-constrained in purchasing homes. Using the residual income method alongside the 30 percent income standard reveals that the latter overestimates affordability for poorer households, with housing stress particularly evident among low-income groups. The study highlights that socialized and economic housing projects are increasingly situated on the urban fringes, limiting housing options for low- and middle-income households in cities. With residential prices outpacing income growth, the government faces two key objectives: improving housing conditions for poor and vulnerable households and curbing speculative increases in property prices. Proposed solutions include innovative housing interventions and regulatory measures to control property market speculation and ensure affordability.

Technical and Economic Aspects of the Choice of Enclosing Wall Structures with a Similar Heat Flow for Low-rise Housing Construction

This article is devoted to the analysis of multilayer enclosing structures used for the construction of exterior walls of low-rise buildings based on a comparison of thermal and economic indicators. For the calculations in this article, the most relevant and popular multilayer wall designs are selected. The object of the study is the structural solutions of multilayer wall enclosing structures in low-rise housing construction, which are used in the city of Krasnoyarsk. The subject of the study is: the influence of the composition of multilayer wall enclosing structures with a similar heat flow on the estimated cost of their construction for the city of Krasnoyarsk and the estimated cost of 1 square meter of each wall structure is determined. At the moment, the construction of low-rise residential buildings is gaining popularity and is supported by state programs both at the federal level and at the levels of the subjects of the Russian Federation and municipalities. Low-rise housing construction is considered as one of the possibilities of solving the housing problem or improving housing conditions for the population. Multilayer enclosing structures with exterior facade decoration have been widely used in low-rise and multi-storey construction. As part of the study, we considered the most common types of multilayer structures and exterior wall facade finishing options, performed thermal engineering and cost estimates to determine the most profitable option for a multilayer wall structure in low-rise housing construction.

Broker power: real estate brokers in the St. Louis Model Cities program, 1966–1975

ABSTRACT Evaluations of Model Cities have focused on whether federal officials and local planners lived up to the programme’s rhetoric of citizen empowerment. However, as this case study of St. Louis will demonstrate, more attention is needed to the ways that the local real estate sector influenced and frustrated government officials and community activists alike. Policies of disinvestment in mid-twentieth century cities produced a small but powerful group of landlords and real estate brokers in St. Louis, whose near-monopoly control of the housing market hindered grassroots rehabilitation efforts. In 1967, a Black-led community group known as Jeff-Vander-Lou, Inc. (JVL), found that the ‘slumlords’ who dominated their neighbourhood were too powerful to be compelled by municipal tools such as code enforcement. Realizing they could not defeat the landlords, they reluctantly joined them, and crafted a Model Cities demonstration programme that they hoped could improve housing conditions and attenuate the strangle-hold of landlords on their neighbourhood. As this article will detail, this momentary alliance allowed landlords to influence the St. Louis housing policy for Model Cities and beyond.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN CHINA

Abstract Objectives Living arrangements is an essential component of social environments for older adults. This study examines the impact of living arrangements and housing characteristics on the psychological well-being of older adults in China. Methods Data were derived from the 2011-2012 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The final sample consisted of 4,746 Chinese older adults aged 80–105 years. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of negative psychological outcomes, predicted by living arrangements, housing characteristics and other covariates. Results Overall, older adults who lived in a three-person household were less likely to feel lonely than their counterparts living in other household sizes. Participants who reported at least one housing problem (e.g., exposure to mold, minor home damage) were more likely to feel anxious and depressed than those who did not report any housing problems. Having a private bedroom was associated with better psychological well-being for both older men and women. Discussion This study demonstrates that both household sizes and housing conditions may influence health and well-being in advanced age. Living with family members and having adequate personal space at home have protective health benefits for older adults. This study has policy implications regarding household sizes and improvement in housing conditions.

Housing conditions, cooking fuels, and health-related quality of life among rural middle-aged and elderly in northwest China: A ten-year balanced panel study

ObjectiveTo investigate the impacts of improving housing conditions and transitioning to clean cooking fuels on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among middle-aged and elderly populations in rural China. Methods: Using a 10-year longitudinal follow-up study, we examined changes in housing conditions, cooking fuel use, and HRQOL among 690 Chinese adults aged 45 above in rural areas. HRQOL was assessed using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions 3 Levels (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. Generalized estimating equations were utilized to analyze correlations between variables. Results: Using four-period balanced panel data of 10 years, there were significant differences in the self-reporting of mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain / discomfort and anxiety / depression in rural middle-aged and elderly people (p < 0.05). In terms of the EQ-5D index score and EQ-VAS score, showed a decreasing trend (p < 0.05). The housing area, housing material type, utilization of sanitary toilets, separation of housing and kitchen were separated and non-solid fuels used as cooking fuel were significantly associated with high HRQOL (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study found that good housing conditions and the use of non-solid cooking fuel had positive effects on health-related quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of northwest China.

Social Policy of Enterprise as Factor of Personnel Involvement

Enterprises still face the problem of shaping loyal and involved behavior of employees, which can affect economic results of the company work. The article shows the impact of in-company corporate social policy on employees’ involvement. The authors studied social policy of the enterprise and assessed its influence on shaping behavior of personnel involvement; they also highlighted the impact of conformity of social welfare measures and employees needs in shaping involvement relations. The research was carried out by using a whole complex of academic methods, such as system analysis, generalization and systematization of theoretical and practical data. The foundation of the empiric base was formed by findings of the research done in 2023 concerning the impact of corporate social policy of the company TMK CHERMET on workers’ involvement. The obtained information gave an opportunity to draw a conclusion about the positive effect of the availability of corporate social policy on workers’ involvement. The most serious influence of involvement is exercised by such measures of social welfare as help in improving housing conditions, granting 50% discount on food in the canteen, finance assistance in difficult circumstances. However, a third of respondents assessed certain measures as having no influence on involvement, which could be improved by including relevant measures of social welfare in corporate social policy. Therefore, the hypothesis that corporate social policy at the enterprise can increase the level of workers’ involvement by conformity of measures of social welfare offered by the enterprise and their individual needs found confirmation. The authors gave definition of the notion ‘corporate social policy’.

Analysis of the recent situation of real estate and credit

Real estate is one of the important pillar industries for social development, especially for populous countries. Over the past many years, the impact of credit policy changes on real estate has attracted the attention of many scholars. For more than three years, the COVID-19 has seriously affected the development of China's economy. The adjustment of bank interest rates and the adjustment of deposit reserves will have an impact on economic development, especially on the development of the real estate industry. It is necessary to further study and analyze the factors affecting real estate and credit, and analyze the actual problems in society to put forward optimization suggestions for relevant policies. This article analyzes the main problems in the real estate industry and credit from a public perspective, combined with existing publicly available data. It suggests further to optimize housing loan policies, and encourage young people to purchase houses with their own property rights, and support middle-aged people to improve housing conditions; It need further to introduce elderly care policies to enhance the consumption capacity of middle-aged and elderly people; It need further to optimize the industrial structure to promote employment for young people and increasing wage income to provide conditions for multiple births, in order to improve the population structure and slow down the impact of aging on economic development.