Irregular Income Research Articles

Livelihood Resiliency of Selected Informal Sectors in Cebu City, the Philippines

This study focused on the livelihood resiliency of selected informal sectors in Cebu City, the Philippines. It employed a mixed-method approach to describe how informal sectors responded to external shocks. A quantitative approach was used to measure three resilience capacities: absorptive, adaptive, and transformative resilience. The results revealed that both street and platform vendors showed high resilience capacities. When relationships between gender and resilience capacity levels were tested for street and platform vendors, only gender and adaptive capacities showed significant relationships at the .02 and .04 levels, respectively. By contrast, their absorptive and transformative resilience capacities showed no significant differences. Qualitative findings revealed that informal sector street and platform vendors were vulnerable in times of economic shock due to their irregular incomes, poor working conditions, and struggles to sell their products. Despite external shocks, they attempted to cope by looking for alternative sources of income, utilizing their savings, and receiving assistance from the government, along with support from their families.

A Conceptual Framework of Navigating Digital Banking: How Gender Impacts Adoption Intentions in Klang Valley

Malaysian banking users have encountered negative experiences while adopting traditional bank services. Several customers and businesses face limited access to traditional banking products and services due to factors such as low or irregular income, bad credit, or a lack of conveniently located banks. The acceptability of digital banking products and services in Malaysia is currently unknown and inadequate due to the general lack of familiarity among Malaysians with the notion of digital banking. Conventional methods of analyzing consumer behavior, which primarily consider historical data and current resources, will not result in the achievement of branchless banking in the future. This paper presents a framework that examines how various factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit may influence behavioral intention. Additionally, the framework considers gender as a moderator variable. The results of this study are anticipated to expand the existing body of knowledge on behavioral intention and bring advantages to marketers and digital banking providers.

Assessment of socioeconomic and health vulnerability among urban slum dwellers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBangladesh is rapidly urbanizing and approximately half of its urban population resides in deprived slums with limited access to basic needs. However, there is a dearth of information on vulnerability levels among slum dwellers. We aimed to assess the level of vulnerability within and between slums via various socioeconomic and health indicators.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 810 randomly selected households was conducted in two purposively selected slums, Korail and Shyampur, in Dhaka from November to December 2021. Data was collected on various indicators, including demographics, education, employment, access to utility, and healthcare services. Principal component factor analysis was employed to identify the key indicators to construct the socioeconomic and health vulnerability index for the urban slums of Bangladesh (SEHVI-BD). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett’s test, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient test were used to assess indicators’ suitability. The selected indicators were used to generate an index on a scale of 100, with a higher index value indicating a higher level of vulnerability. The estimated scores were used to categorize the vulnerability status into three levels: mild, moderate, and severe vulnerability. The Mann-Whitney-U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied between the generated index and other socioeconomic variables to validate the relationship.ResultsA total of 27 socioeconomic and health indicators were identified that explained 60% of the variance. The indicators were then grouped into six domains on the basis of their relevance. The prevalence of severe vulnerability in the Korail slum was approximately 9% and moderate vulnerability was 30% whereas these values were approximately 58% and 37%, respectively, in the Shyampur slum. The difference in the vulnerability level between the two slums was also evident across the domains. Households in the poorest wealth quintile, with lower education levels of household heads, and having irregular income experienced higher levels of vulnerability.ConclusionsThe SEHVI-BD offers a critical tool for policymakers to identify and address vulnerabilities, facilitating more targeted public health interventions in urban Bangladesh and similar low-income settings. This study further emphasizes the importance of integrating comprehensive vulnerability assessments into public health policies to reduce inequalities and improve well-being, especially for the urban marginalized slum population.

" Operationalizing Jitegemea Philosophy As A Model To Sustainable Development To Retirement Plan Among The Pulpit Workers

Purpose of the Study: This study aimed to investigate the operationalization of Jitegemea Philosophy as a model for the sustainable development of retirement plans among pulpit workers. Statement of the Problem Despite the importance of retirement planning, these workers face challenges such as low salaries, irregular income, and limited access to pension schemes, leading to financial insecurity in later life. The Jitegemea (self-reliance) philosophy, rooted in principles of self-sufficiency and sustainability, offers a potential model for addressing this gap. However, there is limited research and practical application of Jitegemea as a structured retirement planning model tailored to the specific needs of pulpit workers. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring the financial security and well-being of PCEA pulpit workers in retirement. Therefore, this study explores how operationalizing the Jitegemea philosophy could provide a sustainable solution for enhancing financial security and well-being for clergy during retirement. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative research approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with PCEA pulpit workers to explore their perceptions, experiences, and challenges related to retirement planning. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants from various PCEA churches in Nairobi. Data were analyzed thematically to identify key themes and patterns related to retirement planning among PCEA pulpit workers. Key Findings: The study revealed that while many clergy face socio-economic barriers, religious beliefs, community support, and proactive planning can foster resilience. Participants expressed mixed emotions about retirement, some feeling apprehensive and others viewing it as a period of spiritual renewal. The study highlights the need for tailored support mechanisms, including financial literacy programs, fair compensation, and expanded pension schemes. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts among religious institutions, policymakers, and community organizations to improve retirement planning. Recommendation: Recommendations include financial education, compensation reform, and community support to ensure better retirement preparedness. Further research is suggested to evaluate the long-term effects of these interventions on clergy retirement outcomes.

Analysis of Annual Spt Reporting Article 21 Before and After the Implementation of the E-Filling System at PT Surya Toto Indonesia, Tbk

The purpose of this research is to understand and gather information on how the employees of PT. Surya Toto Indonesia fulfill their obligations as taxpayers in reporting their Annual Income Tax Return (SPT) for PPh 21, to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the e-filing system, and to explore several efforts to overcome the challenges associated with this system. It also aims to examine the differences in reporting the Annual Income Tax Return (SPT) for PPh 21 before and after the implementation of the e-filing system. The data processed in this research is sourced from primary data, which includes qualitative data from interviews and the company profile of PT. Surya Toto Indonesia, Tbk, and quantitative data related to the calculation of PPh 21 on irregular income for employees. The findings of this study indicate that the employees of PT. Surya Toto Indonesia have fulfilled their obligations as taxpayers in reporting the Annual Income Tax Return for PPh 21. In the implementation of the e-filing system, there are both advantages and disadvantages. Differences have been noted before and after the implementation of the e-filing system in terms of the Notification Letter Form (SPT), tax calculation procedures, time/place effectiveness, efficiency, archiving, data submission of the SPT, and taxpayer compliance.

Bridge to security: Exploring unemployment insurance for solo self-employed in Estonia

The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the need for better access to unemployment insurance, particularly for solo self-employed workers. Traditionally seen as entrepreneurs bearing their own risks, the line between employment and entrepreneurship for solo self-employed has blurred, raising questions about adequate social protection. This shift is largely attributed to the rise of platform work, often linked with dependent self-employment and a precarious social security landscape for workers. In Estonia, where solo self-employment is increasingly common, access to unemployment insurance and the level of protection depends on the workers’ awareness and intent, as well as the approach adopted by task-mediating platforms in the case of platform workers. While the self-employed, including platform workers, can access insurance by opting for certain legal forms of work and making regular contributions, effective access remains limited. Low and irregular income poses eligibility challenges, and certain legal forms of self-employment can hinder access to benefits, despite eligibility through other means. In the long run, these challenges could undermine the sustainability of Estonia's social security system, emphasising the critical need for comprehensive reforms to ensure equitable access to unemployment insurance for all self-employed individuals, including those engaged in platform work.

Work Family Conflict In Honorary Teachers: A Study Of Causes, Impacts And Coping Strategies

This research aims to identify the causes of work-family conflict experienced by working women. Additionally, it aims to identify the impacts experienced by the working women themselves, their families, and their institutions. Furthermore, the research aims to identify coping strategies used by honorary teachers to deal with work-family conflict. The research utilizes a qualitative descriptive approach with a phenomenological study approach. The results of the research indicate that sources of work-related issues include long working hours, time constraints, internal office conflicts, and demanding workloads. On the other hand, family-related conflicts stem from household situation characteristics such as heavy household chores, absence of domestic help, and the husband's irregular job or income. The impacts experienced by honorary teachers include psychological pressure and health issues. The impact on the family includes feelings of neglect. There are several coping strategies used by honorary teachers to overcome work-family conflict, which are a combination of emotion-focused coping and problem-focused coping strategies

Voluntary Contributions to Pension Schemes: A Study Among Actors in the Informal Economy in Tanzania

The research delves into the participation of informal economic actors in voluntary contributions to pension schemes. It sheds light on the difficulties faced by the Social Security Fund in reaching out to informal actors regarding membership and voluntary contributions. The study investigates the operations and strategies employed by informal social organizations, such as the bodaboda association, food vending network, and fishing group, to encourage members to contribute voluntarily. Through qualitative methods, interviews with pension scheme participants were conducted to comprehend the initiatives aimed at including excluded individuals, particularly those engaged in the informal economy. Following the NSSF Act 2018 revision, there is no alternative arrangement to provide coverage for informal workers besides the formal social security. This study contends that excluding a significant portion of the population from pension schemes limits social services in Tanzania. Informal economy actors willingly contribute to informal social organizations. The contribution assists in addressing the challenges associated with irregular incomes. It was observed that the administrative and regulatory structure designed for the formal sector is not conducive to informal actors, mainly due to bureaucratic processes related to contributions and provisional pensions.

Risk Rationalities in Welfare State Policy and Practice in Indonesia: A Phenomenological Study of National Health Insurance in a Rural Community

The body of research examining the welfare systems of the Global South has expanded, yet there remains a lack of knowledge regarding the implications of modernising the welfare system in rural agrarian societies. A research gap in this area led us to conduct a live-in observation and 17 interviews with peasants in Merjosuro village—a rural area in Central Java, Indonesia—to examine how farmers’ rationality affects the perception of social risks and the decision-making process regarding health risks management. The study has two key findings. The first finding reveals that differences in the rationality of risk between policymakers and the Merjosuro community are the reason why the community does not participate in the National Health Insurance (JKN). The second finding indicates that the monthly contributory system promoted by JKN is incompatible with the livelihoods in an agrarian society characterised by unstable and irregular income depending on harvest time. Overall, the case in Merjosuro highlights the understudied phenomena of expanding modern-formal social policies within more traditional community-based informal welfare arrangements, which were found to have limited the pace of transformation of the welfare state expansion in the examined case. Additionally, the study has practical implications for rethinking contextualised designs of welfare state policies and practices for the Global South.

THE IMPACT OF FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS ON SOCIAL SECURITY MANAGEMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The increasing prevalence of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs), such as gig work, part-time work, and remote work, has raised concerns about the sustainability and adaptability of social security systems worldwide. This systematic review aims to examine the impact of these arrangements on social security programs. The problem statement emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications for social security, including changes in contributions, demographics, and the need for policy adaptation. Through a systematic approach, the review analyzes academic literature from Scopus and Econbiz databases, focusing on studies providing empirical insights into the effects of FWAs on social security systems. The findings of the review are synthesized from seven primary studies (n=7), revealing critical dimensions of the issue. Key among these is the challenges posed to social security programs, including reduced contributions due to irregular income patterns and demographic changes as the workforce ages. Additionally, the findings highlight the necessity for legal and policy adjustments to accommodate the nuances of FWAs. The review identifies several gaps in current research, particularly the need for more longitudinal studies to assess the long-term effects of FWAs on social security systems. Looking forward, this review suggests avenues for future research, emphasizing the importance of exploring the intersection of FWAs with technology and globalization. It also calls for more comprehensive studies on the efficacy of new policy adaptations in various socio-economic contexts. By offering a comprehensive understanding of how FWAs are reshaping global social security management, this review provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners dealing with the dynamics of complex work and social welfare relations.

Challenges and Recommendations for Fostering Financial Inclusion among Unorganized Sector

The unorganized sector constitutes a significant portion of the workforce in many economies, yet achieving financial inclusion remains a formidable challenge. This article examines the unique challenges faced by individuals in the unorganized sector in accessing formal financial services and presents strategies to enhance financial inclusion. Key challenges include the informal nature of the sector, lack of documentation, irregular income streams, limited financial literacy, and geographic barriers. To address these challenges, solutions such as technology adoption, simplified documentation processes, flexible financial products, targeted financial literacy programs, and the expansion of agent banking networks are proposed. By implementing these strategies, policymakers, financial institutions, and stakeholders can work towards ensuring that individuals in the unorganized sector have access to the financial tools and services necessary for economic empowerment and growth

Mapping social protection coverage for platform workers: A comparative analysis of Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands

The aim of this paper is to examine if and how the reclassification of platform workers from self-employment status to employment status can provide them with adequate social security protection. Little is known about how this transition would guarantee platform workers adequate social protection within the social protection scheme for employees. National social security schemes, in particular income replacement benefit schemes, often (still) depart from the standard employment relationship, leading to lower protection for atypical work forms. Platform workers combine several of the characteristics of atypical forms of work, such as low earnings, irregular working patterns and working. Integrating platform workers into employee social security schemes faces additional challenges due to the online nature of their work, algorithmic management, high levels of unpaid labor, and employer identification difficulties. This paper focuses on unemployment protection, as EU Member States struggle to provide adequate protection for workers with irregular work patterns and income fluctuations, in the case of (short term) income replacement benefits. By constructing nine ideal work patterns reflective of diverse nature of platform work and current practices among platform work, we analyse how different types of ‘employed’ platform workers may fare within the legislation of three EU countries (Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands). This approach allows us to assess the applicability of unemployment protection to different working patterns among 'employed' platform workers, considering formal, effective, and adequate access to unemployment schemes as outlined in the Council Recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed (2019).

Comparative study of poverty dynamics and income structure: Pre and post COVID-19 impact on households with and without disabilities in South Korea

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic, as an external shock, has affected the health and economic well-being of individuals. Vulnerable populations with limited resources have also been affected, exacerbating societal inequalities throughout the pandemic. ObjectiveThis study examined poverty dynamics in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, focusing on changes in the poverty status and income structure of the population with and without disabilities. MethodsWe conducted a multinomial logistic regression analysis using data from the 14th and 16th waves of the Korea Welfare Panel Study. ResultsThe results show that the pandemic had a significant impact on income levels, particularly for individuals who experienced poverty, and notable differences were observed in income structures between groups with and without disabilities. While individuals without disabilities relied primarily on business income and regular as well as irregular income prior to experiencing poverty, those with disabilities experienced a decline in irregular and private transfer income. In addition, the poverty escape groups with and without disabilities showed increases in regular and irregular income. ConclusionThe results of this study show how current population groups with and without disabilities have experienced changes in the poverty structure due to COVID-19. These results highlight the need for a comprehensive social protection system to address the external shocks faced by vulnerable populations.

Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Rural Tourism Villages: A Case Study of Ngargoretno Village, Indonesia

The development of rural tourism villages has emerged as a significant alternative in transforming subsistence agriculture patterns in rural areas, often characterized by irregular income streams that barely sustain basic needs. The trend of rural tourism village development is observed in many subsistence farming communities, leveraging the unique potential of natural and cultural resources that can be tapped through village fund utilization. The initiation of rural tourism village development in Ngargoretno Village began with community-driven efforts and a communal spirit to realize the concept of such a village. The village authorities also provided support by allocating village funds and empowerment activities, including training sessions for the youth who play a pivotal role in driving rural tourism village development. This research aims to describe the collaborative efforts between the community and village authorities in realizing rural tourism villages and identify the success factors in rural tourism village development. This research adopts a qualitative approach, with data collection conducted through observations and interviews with key stakeholders from the community and village authorities involved in rural tourism village development. The theoretical foundation of this research lies in empowerment theory, emphasizing the involvement of various stakeholders, including village authorities, educational institutions, and community organizations in rural tourism village development. The findings reveal active community involvement in infrastructure development such as roads, enhancement of tourist attractions through cleaning and painting marble, and the establishment of public facilities such as toilets. Furthermore, partnerships with educational institutions like Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Magelang Tourism Office have enriched tourism packages by introducing additional attractions such as tea plantation tours and religious tourism and promoting local cuisine. The development of rural tourism villages is also expected to increase the income of Ngargoretno Village residents through a rise in tourist visits from outside the village and the creation of new employment opportunities for the younger generation. Optimism persists, fueled by the enthusiastic spirit of village authorities and the community in developing the concept of rural tourism villages.

Socio–Economic Effects of the Microfinance Services on the Women in Sindh: A Case Study of the First Microfinance Bank District Larkana

The microfinance has turned into a significant tool alleviating poverty in emerging nations as it provides financial and non-financial services to needy peoples. It turns out those key aspects of the microfinance in focusing on the ladies lead to more beneficial economic development results. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the socio economic impacts related with the women's participation in microfinance programs. The study was conducted in The First Microfinance Bank District Larkana in Sindh province. A simple random sample of 1000 women participants of no less than two years or more was drawn from the 13500 individuals from The First Microfinance Bank District Larkana. The data were analyzed quantitatively with the help of descriptive statistics from the SPSS tool and presented in the form of frequencies, pie charts, and tables using a structured questionnaire. The study's objectives were to evaluate the socioeconomic effects on women's access to micro-credit, micro-savings, micro-insurance and non-financial services. The foundations of this study was depended on the accompanying theories as well as model, the Grameen bank model ,the vicious cycle of poverty theory, and the imperfect information paradigm.. The outcomes showed that the microfinance services have impact on women's socio-economic status. The review showed that that an access to microcredit services expanded pay levels, expanded stocks as well as result of endeavor and expanded use on wellbeing and educational services. Conversely, availability of micro savings services for women increased income to generate wealth, smoothed irregular income levels to manage consumption needs, and increased capital resources to support education and health care. Additionally the outcomes demonstrated the impacts of micro insurance services empowered ladies build more grounded trust securities, made more informal communities as well as propel cooperation being developed activities. In conclusion, impacts of non financial services microfinance balanced out pay levels that facilitated creation imperatives, improved intrapersonal abilities, for example, relational abilities and to wrap things up this program imparted a decent practice on preventive wellbeing measures for prosperity of individuals. A portion of recommendation made included, the need to do a further report to particularly distinguish the impacts of microfinance benefits freely on the financial status of the clients, additional comprehension the impacts of new areas of the microfinance, for example, that of of micro-insurance services to assist with planning better items, gain an upper hand and animate the market in the long haul for manageable turn of events, need to look at the impacts among various plans and microfinance projects to direct reasonable investment of the government, development fund and a cautious examination of consequences for various subgroups-for instance, monetarily unique, social, orientation to upgrade the comprehension of value related impacts of the microfinance services (micro credit, micro savings and micro insurance) plans for productivity and viability.

The Influence of Motivation, Knowledge, and Ability to Pay on Compliance in Paying Premiums for Self-Participants in the National Health Insurance Program in West Lombok Regency

Compliance among participants in the self-funded health insurance scheme to pay premiums is crucial to facilitate access to healthcare services. Lack of knowledge, motivation, and the ability to pay are factors contributing to payment arrears. The aim of this research is to identify the factors influencing the compliance of self-funded health insurance participants in paying premiums in West Lombok Regency in 2022. This study is a quantitative research using a cross-sectional design. The population in this study consisted of 50,630 individuals. The research sample included 397 people selected using the Multistage cluster random sampling technique. Data analysis involved univariate and bivariate analysis, with chi-square and logistic regression tests. The research results indicate a correlation between the level of knowledge (0.03), motivation (0.000), and the ability to pay (0.000) with the compliance of self-funded health insurance participants in paying premiums. Meanwhile, the most dominant influencing factor is motivation (p=0.000; OR=32.410). Social Security Administering Agency - Health (BPJS - Kesehatan) is expected to enhance information and socialization efforts among participants regarding the national health insurance program so that the public is motivated to be more compliant in premium payments, and to provide flexible payment options for participants with irregular incomes in the form of installment payments.

The Effect of Family Economy on Education Opportunities (Analysis of the Impact of Parents' Irregular Income on Millennial Children's Educational Opportunities in the DKI Jakarta Area)

We certainly often hear that poverty and education are two things that are closely interrelated, the terms poor because uneducated and uneducated because poor have always been endless discourses. Every parent certainly wants the future fate of their children to be much better than himself, so children's education is part of the parents' pledge regardless of their educational background. It is in this context that the interests of parents often clash with policies even though policies are made with the aim of helping children get a good education. This study intends to elaborate on the issue of educational opportunities for children of families with irregular income in Jakarta who tend to be vulnerable and must get priority from the government.
 This research uses a type of qualitative descriptive research with a case study approach that occurs throughout the DKI Jakarta Province with a focus on parents of school-age children (12 - 18 years) with a background of irregular income (PTT).
 The results showed that family economic factors often become an obstacle to children's education, although it also cannot automatically be mentioned that family economic factors correlate significantly with their children's educational opportunities, uncertain economic conditions of parents also often prevent their children from getting the opportunity to receive education well, especially for low-educated people who are often passive So that the government's efforts to help children's education costs through a series of stimulation programs are often not on target and sometimes trapped in administrative rules that actually eliminate their rights. In terms of opportunities, children of highly educated parents are more likely than children of low-educated parents even though their economies are the same.

Regeneration Strategy of Indonesian Wayang Kulit Artisans

Since a long time ago, Butuh Hamlet has become a center for the wayang industry, which is the mainstay of Klaten Regency. However, currently, the wayang kulit (shadow puppet) craft home industry is experiencing many setbacks. The younger generation tends to choose to work in factories with a fixed salary rather than being a wayang craftsman with an irregular income. Children are also reluctant to learn tatah (carving) and sungging (painting). The problem that arises and needs to be solved is how to regenerate the wayang kulit craft industry, which has less and less interest among the younger generation. The research results and development with the 4-D Model produced iconic puppets, puppet learning modules, and puppet craftsman regeneration strategies. The new creation of an iconic puppet named Joko Tingkir represents of the closeness, spirit, and pride of the artisans in Butuh. The YouTube-based wayang learning module is a medium for transforming wayang skills from young artisans to anyone. The regeneration strategy for wayang kulit artisans was carried out through Seeding, Insight, and Empowerment activities aimed at preparing prospective successors so that the continuation of the puppet craft can be maintained. Keywords: Regeneration, craft, youth, sustainability, wayang kulit DOI: 10.7176/ADS/103-6 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPLETE SYSTEMATIC LAND REGISTRATION BASED ON REGULATION OF THE MINISTER OF AGRARIA AND SPATIAL PLANNING/HEAD OF THE NATIONAL LAND AGENCY NUMBER 6 OF 2018 FOR LEGAL LEGALITY OF LAND RIGHTS

Complete Systematic Land Registration (CSLR) is useful for the community to obtain the legal legality of land rights. The legal legality of land rights aims to create an orderly administration and legal order, which is urgent to avoid potential land disputes. Currently, it is found that not a few people from the community have an orderly administration of land ownership. This is evidenced by the total number of around 126 million land parcels in Indonesia, but still, around 100.14 million land parcels have been registered in the Complete Systematic Land Registration (CSLR) program, and 82.5 million certificates have been issued. The research aims to analyze the effectiveness of implementing the Complete Systematic Land Registration (CSLR) program based on the Regulation of the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Number 6 of 2018 for the legality of land rights in Tenggong village, Rejotangan District, also described the constraints and government efforts to make the CSLR program successful in Rejotangan District. This study used a qualitative approach with data collection techniques in the form of direct observation and interviews in the field. Data sources were obtained from primary and secondary data with qualitative descriptive data analysis method. The research results show that the Complete Systematic Land Registration (CSLR) policy in the context of realizing orderly land administration in Tulungagung City has been going well where the policy standards and targets are already heading in the right direction, namely people from weak to middle economic groups, both those with fixed incomes and those with irregular incomes. In addition, the bureaucracy that impedes BPN's efforts and obstacles in the smooth running of CSLR is to be simplified so that the program can be implemented properly, quickly and efficiently to reach even more layers of society who benefit from the program.

Flexible Rent Payment Options for Tenants

The amount of pressure that tenants are experiencing to make timely rent payments has also influenced the need for flexible rent payment solutions. The conventional rental structures where tenets are expected to remit rent in full on the first of every month are also partial since many renters have irregular income patterns, such as those paid biweekly or weekly. These gaps have been further amplified by actionable factors such as the increase in living standards, volatility of income, and contract work. Analyses like the one conducted at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard show that most renters are "cost-burdened," paying more than 30% of their income on rent. This article also covers renters' financial vulnerability, including unstable income, disharmonization pay cycle, and sanctions for delayed rent, such as credit history deterioration, eviction, and damaged relations with a landlord. The discussion continues regarding the current payment solutions, such as third-party apps, auto-payments, and payment methods proposed by the landlord, with the pros and cons highlighted. Subsequently, the ability of flexible payment systems to mitigate tenants' cash stresses and prevent eviction is evaluated. The article also discusses the possibilities of future trends in rent payment flexibility, such as new technological advancements, implementation of subscription-based services, and changes in policies that can foster the improved utilization of flexibility in payment. Finally, tenants and landlords are given guidelines to guide individuals in the changing structure of rent payment choices and enhance living conditions.