Housing Residents Research Articles

Surface temperature change amplifies social inequality in heat exposure? Evidence from Shanghai, China

Heat-related environmental justice has gained increasing attention, with many studies focusing on social inequalities in exposure to extreme surface temperatures. However, changes in land surface temperature (LST) also contribute to residents’ thermal discomfort, underscoring the need to explore inequalities in exposure to these changes. This study addresses this gap by analyzing spatial and social disparities in exposure to both LST changes and summer LST in Shanghai. We employed a boosted regression tree model to quantify LST changes, offering better predictive performance than traditional linear regression, and used geographically weighted regression with data from China's sixth population census to assess the city-wide and local scale inequality differences in exposure to LST changes and summer LST. Our findings reveal that 57.83% of Shanghai's subdistricts experienced above-average LST changes and summer LST. Specific groups—males (22.17%), children (22.61%), the elderly (13.04%), and residents in older housing (60.87%)—were disproportionately exposed to local-scale LST changes. In contrast, those employed in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries faced consistently lower exposure. Furthermore, exposure to LST changes was 3.47% higher among the elderly and 28.26% higher for residents in older housing compared to exposure based on summer LST alone. To mitigate these inequalities, we recommend increasing water coverage and green roofs, enhancing green infrastructure in aging neighborhoods, and providing financial subsidies for outdoor workers. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing social inequalities in exposure to temperature changes to enhance urban resilience and promote sustainable urban planning in the face of climate change.

Inclusionary housing policy and practice in South African cities: planning as a spatial transformation tool

AbstractGlobally, housing forms an integral part of accessing the wide range opportunities that cities offer, however, inequality can be exacerbated when significant segments of the inhabitants are excluded from the real estate market or through inaction by the state. The need for affordable housing in cities with hyper-property markets is of global concern for public sector authorities that are pursuing goals of socially just and economically inclusive cities. In the global south, inclusionary housing policies and associated practices have emerged as important tools to increase access for those excluded from the opportunities available in towns and cities. In South Africa, the post-1994 democratic state has continued with the apartheid era practice of providing subsidised housing for the majority urban residents on the outskirts of towns and cities, thereby further entrenching poverty traps and racially based separate developments. Contrary to practice, the state’s well-documented policy position is to reverse the legacy of apartheid through spatial transformation so that cities and towns become economically more inclusive and socially just. It is argued that this requires prioritising the provision of affordable housing in urban centres of towns and cities that offer meaningful working, residing, shopping, recreational and other social opportunities. Although inclusionary housing policy has emerged internationally as an important mechanism to spatially transform urban areas, this forms only one component of a wider range of other possible public interventions. These framework mechanisms could include broader housing development policies, legislation and programmes as well as the urban development policies, spatial planning and land use management practices and incentives. Other incentives that can be used as leverage include the use of publicly owned property (land and buildings), capital infrastructure and development incentives. The public sector can offer both direct and indirect financial assistance and tax incentives to support an inclusionary housing policy. Critically, this should be contingent on the public sector understanding the feasibility, risk and benefits associated with housing projects pursued by private sector real estate developers.

Increase in Households Triggered by Accommodation Closure Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Historical Center of Kyoto City

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many accommodations to close. However, the pandemic might play an important role in providing an opportunity to achieve sustainable tourism with a good balance between housing for residents and accommodation for tourists. As the theoretical framework, this study aims to investigate the change in households triggered by accommodation closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kyoto City’s historical center. Furthermore, the causes of these changes were examined by analyzing the real estate properties traded on the market. For the analysis, this study considered the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural experiment to investigate the causal relationship between the number of households, closed accommodations, and real estate properties. As a result, it was found that households increased by approximately 1.34 in neighborhood associations with closed simple accommodations. Regarding the causes of the increase, closed simple accommodation properties tend to change to short-term rentals. This study also highlighted that closed simple accommodations have significantly smaller room sizes than other property types, with only slightly higher prices. As a theoretical contribution, our findings suggest that the pandemic might have suppressed tourism gentrification, but increased the number of households.

SARS-CoV-2 testing, test positivity and vaccination in social housing residents compared with the general population: a retrospective population-based cohort study

BackgroundThe consideration of unique social housing needs has largely been absent from the COVID-19 response, particularly in tailoring strategies to improve access to testing and vaccine uptake among vulnerable and...

Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Residents of Social Housing

The objective: to assess the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among people living in social housing.Subjects and Methods. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) was analyzed among residents of two social homes in Moscow; totally 936 people were examined. These individuals were given a skin test with the tuberculous recombinant allergen (TRA). To exclude tuberculosis, those with a positive response underwent examination and tests including chest computed tomography and 3 consecutive sputum smears for acid-fast mycobacteria. If tuberculosis was ruled out according to the results, the condition of these individuals was classified as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).Results. Among those living in social housing, LTBI was more common in men than in women, OR=1.72 (95% CI 1.16–2.57). In persons with mental retardation, LTBI was detected more often than in those with schizophrenia: 20.68% versus 12.44%, p<0.05. The presence of concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus, COPD, viral hepatitis, gastrointestinal pathology, oncology, and autoimmune diseases) is no risk factor for LTBI in people with mental pathology.

Using a Device-Free Wi-Fi Sensing System to Assess Daily Activities and Mobility in Low-Income Older Adults: Protocol for a Feasibility Study.

Older adults belonging to racial or ethnic minorities with low socioeconomic status are at an elevated risk of developing dementia, but resources for assessing functional decline and detecting cognitive impairment are limited. Cognitive impairment affects the ability to perform daily activities and mobility behaviors. Traditional assessment methods have drawbacks, so smart home technologies (SmHT) have emerged to offer objective, high-frequency, and remote monitoring. However, these technologies usually rely on motion sensors that cannot identify specific activity types. This group often lacks access to these technologies due to limited resources and technology experience. There is a need to develop new sensing technology that is discreet, affordable, and requires minimal user engagement to characterize and quantify various in-home activities. Furthermore, it is essential to explore the feasibility of developing machine learning (ML) algorithms for SmHT through collaborations between clinical researchers and engineers and involving minority, low-income older adults for novel sensor development. This study aims to examine the feasibility of developing a novel channel state information-based device-free, low-cost Wi-Fi sensing system, and associated ML algorithms for localizing and recognizing different patterns of in-home activities and mobility in residents of low-income senior housing with and without mild cognitive impairment. This feasibility study was conducted in collaboration with a wellness care group, which serves the healthy aging needs of low-income housing residents. Prior to this feasibility study, we conducted a pilot study to collect channel state information data from several activity scenarios (eg, sitting, walking, and preparing meals) using the proposed Wi-Fi sensing system continuously over a week in apartments of low-income housing residents. These activities were videotaped to generate ground truth annotations to test the accuracy of the ML algorithms derived from the proposed system. Using qualitative individual interviews, we explored the acceptability of the Wi-Fi sensing system and implementation barriers in the low-income housing setting. We use the same study protocol for the proposed feasibility study. The Wi-Fi sensing system deployment began in November 2022, with participant recruitment starting in July 2023. Preliminary results will be available in the summer of 2025. Preliminary results are focused on the feasibility of developing ML models for Wi-Fi sensing-based activity and mobility assessment, community-based recruitment and data collection, ground truth, and older adults' Wi-Fi sensing technology acceptance. This feasibility study can make a contribution to SmHT science and ML capabilities for early detection of cognitive decline among socially vulnerable older adults. Currently, sensing devices are not readily available to this population due to cost and information barriers. Our sensing device has the potential to identify individuals at risk for cognitive decline by assessing their level of physical function by tracking their in-home activities and mobility behaviors, at a low cost. DERR1-10.2196/53447.

Digital Arrival Infrastructures: Housing Platforms and Residency Governance in Berlin’s Rental Sector

This article explores how notions of formality and informality in housing are produced in relation to digital infrastructure and localized bordering regimes. Drawing on a research diary project conducted with “International” migrants in Berlin, Germany, I draw on scholarship in Digital Geography and Migration Studies to frame digital platforms as “arrival infrastructures,” which allow “Internationals” to negotiate the legal process of becoming formally resident in the city. Rather than entry into the long-term “formal,” rental sector, the opportunity to codify residency status becomes the decisive factor in determining housing choices. It also determines the type of housing platforms which are used to seek accommodation in the city and influences digital behavior. My contribution in this article is twofold. Firstly, I advance an understanding of housing in/formality as a concept which is formed according to one’s own positionality in relation to State mobility regimes. Secondly, I describe how the interface of platform-mediated rental sites becomes a site of knowledge production about norms and behavior within an unfamiliar housing system. This is accomplished through the proposal of a typology which classifies platform services according to the ways in which they used to negotiate residency governance regimes: large and long-term housing platforms; “medium-term” platform-mediated rentals; platforms rented and shared; and supplementary tools. I conclude by highlighting the need for further research into the role of rental platforms as a bordering technology, especially in the European context.

Direction for Physical Arrangement of Slums in Coastal Areas (Case Study: Liem Hie Djung Area, North Nunukan Village, Nunukan Regency)

The process of urban development is always faced with various kinds of problems. One of the most important problems is the limited ability of cities to provide housing for residents who continue to grow and grow rapidly. The objectives of this study are: (1) To find out the extent of the level of slums in the Coastal Area around Liem Hie Djun, (2) To find out the correlation between the factors causing slums to the level of slums, and (3) To formulate directions for the arrangement of physical buildings of houses and the arrangement of basic infrastructure of the residential environment in the research area so that a residential environment with healthy and good environmental quality is realized. This research method uses the Spearman correlation method, and (3) The results of these two analyses are used as inputs in efforts to organize the slum environment, using the development analysis method. Based on the results of the analysis that has been carried out, it was found that the level of slums in RT 9 and RT 10 is heavy slums with weighting values of 374.8 and 328.5, respectively. Meanwhile, RT 11 is included in the category of medium slum level with a weighting value of 297. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the indicators of the level of health and comfort of buildings and environmental sanitation conditions had a perfect relationship that affected the level of slums. In RT 9, the level of health and comfort of buildings has a strong relationship affecting the level of slums.

The Influence of Iconnet Product Personal Selling on the Purchase Interest of Housing Residents in Medan City

This study aims to analyze the influence of ICONNET product personal selling on the purchase interest of housing residents in Medan City. The research method used is quantitative with a survey approach. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 150 respondents who are housing residents in Medan City. Data analysis was conducted using simple linear regression to test the influence of personal selling on purchase interest. The results of the study indicate that personal selling has a positive and significant influence on the purchase interest of housing residents. Effective personal selling increases consumer purchase interest in ICONNET products. These findings have implications for marketing management that personal selling strategies can be an effective tool to boost sales, particularly in the telecommunications industry in residential areas. Recommendations for future research include adding other variables such as product quality and price to see their effects on purchase interest more comprehensively.

Public perceptions of the health impacts of climate change: a survey study in Greece

Abstract Background Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. Despite the tremendous challenges, many people remain unaware of the human health implications of climate change. People perceptions about the health harms of climate change can increase public support for the action needed to reduce climate change. The aim of this study was to examine the public perception of climate change as a human health issue in Greece. Methods A population survey study was conducted from October to December 2023 in the municipalities of Messini and Alexandroupoli, Greece, following proportional quota sampling. A questionnaire was developed and included measures about the socio-demographic background of participants, their understanding of key facts about climate change and their views about climate change thread to human health. Results 406 individuals with a mean age 37.7 (sd = 14.8) participated in the study. Participants understood that climate change is happening (93.6%) and 54% of them think climate change is mostly or entirely caused by human activities, whereas 38% think it is caused equally by human activities and natural causes, and about 8% think climate change is mostly or entirely caused by natural causes. A majority of participants reported that climate change has adversely affected the health of people in various way, either a moderate amount or a great deal, including physical or mental harm from forest fires (90%), physical or mental harm from storms and floods (87%), heat-related illnesses (82%), illness due to reduced outdoor air quality (70%) and loss of housing for residents displaced by extreme weather events (70%). Conclusions Participants viewed climate change as an important cause of health harm, however they partially understood that climate change is caused by humans. Public health authorities should educate the public and policymakers about the climate change and advocate for policies to address the human health challenges of climate change. Key messages • Public health authorities should educate the public and policymakers about the climate change problem and its impact to human health. • Providing people with information about the health harms of climate change can increase public support for the actions needed to reduce emissions.

Older adults’ views on training tools to prevent cognitive decline

ABSTRACT Computerized training platforms could be an accessible means for older adults to maintain cognitive health, and several such tools are already commercially available. However, it remains unclear whether older adults use these tools if training is not externally prescribed. We explored older adults’ self-initiated experiences with cognitive training. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 community-dwelling adults aged 58–85 years, comprising university retirees (N = 8) and public housing residents (N = 5). Interviews were analyzed by thematic analysis. No participants voluntarily used cognitive training, and those who had done so previously reported negative experiences. Several factors shaped older adults’ engagement with cognitive training, especially a preference for stimulating activities that are organic and inherently enjoyable. We reveal a mismatch between older adults’ priorities and the interventions currently available and uncover issues of access and interest among low-income and minority individuals. We suggest ways to better align future interventions with older adults’ priorities.

Serviced Housing for Older People and Prevention of Functional Decline: A One-year Follow-up Study in Japan.

Serviced Housing for Older People (SHOP) is a community-based housing model in Japan that provides barrier-free apartments and support services for residents. Whether the SHOP model has positive effects on residents' health remains unclear. This follow-up study examines the association between living in SHOPs and functional decline. Using data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, we compared functional decline risks at one-year follow-up between older adults living in conventional housing (n = 2202) and SHOP residents (n = 160). Functional decline risk was assessed using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) and Care-Need Risk Assessment Scale (CNRAS). SHOPs residents had lower KCL and CNRAS scores than older adults living in conventional housing. In sensitivity analyses, these associations remained unchanged. The results, thus, showed that residing in SHOPs was associated with reduced functional decline; therefore, SHOPs designed to support residents' physical and social health could be important for supporting aging in place.

Use of tobacco price-minimization strategies among public housing residents compared to U.S. low-income adults

BackgroundPrice minimization strategies (PMS) are ways for people to save money on tobacco purchases especially among those of lower socioeconomic status. This study assesses PMS and coupon receipt among public housing residents compared to U.S. low-income adults. MethodsData were from adults who currently use tobacco and live in District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) public housing (n=270) and a US nationally representative sample of low-income adults who currently use tobacco (n=820). We examined the prevalence of PMS use across demographic characteristics and smoking behaviors, and qualitatively compared them across the two datasets. ResultsMost DCHA resident participants (84.2 %) and US low-income adults who currently use tobacco (91.5 %) recently used at least one PMS to save money on tobacco. The top-three most common strategies among DCHA residents were saving cigarettes to finish later (35.6 %), smoking fewer cigarettes (32.2 %), and finding cheaper places to buy cigarettes (30.4 %), while among U.S. low-income adults these strategies were using coupons or promotions (62.7 %), purchasing by bulk (55.5 %), and finding cheaper places to buy tobacco products (53.6 %). People who lightly smoke in DCHA were more likely than people who heavily smoke to use PMS in general (25.0 % vs. 13.7 %) and smoke fewer cigarettes to save money (35.8 % vs. 19.2 %). US low-income people who lightly smoke were more likely than people who heavily smoke to cut back on tobacco use (61.9 % vs. 39.8 %). ConclusionMost U.S. low-income individuals and DCHA residents who smoke engaged in PMS. Regulating these strategies while supporting tobacco use cessation may reduce the impact of tobacco in these populations.

The co-design of building deep retrofitting in distressed urban areas: lessons from e-SAFE

ABSTRACT This article addresses the realm of co-design in building deep retrofitting in distressed urban areas. Drawing from a pilot experience conducted between 2020 and 2023 in Catania, Italy, as part of the Horizon 2020 project e-SAFE, the authors discuss the scholarly relevance of the lessons learned through a process of engagement of public housing residents in the co-design of their building’s retrofitting. Drawing from both socio-technical and urban planning literature, the paper conceptualises co-design as a process that should provide spaces for shared learning and creativity, on the one side, and negotiability between residents and experts, on the other. In the Catania experience, co-design has encountered several obstacles, especially due to strings attached to the funded grant as well as the unfortunate socio-political conjuncture. While these obstacles made it hard to keep spaces of shared creativity open, it was crucial to at least provide spaces for negotiation, especially over those technological choices having a direct impact on residents’ relational economics. In general, the paper argues the importance of distinguishing between these two dimensions ensuring flexibility, so that even if shared creativity is constrained by circumstances, negotiable spaces can still be provided.

Housing and Community Partner Views on the Benefits of Housing with Services: The Right Care, Right Place, Right Time Program.

Older adult-focused housing with services programs seek to improve access to supportive services, particularly among individuals residing in subsidized housing. The Right Care, Right Place, Right Time (R3) program comprises two on-site wellness teams responsible for 400 participants across seven housing sites in Greater Boston. These embedded teams work directly with residents to address health-related needs and access to services. This study reports on the perceived benefits of participating in the R3 program from the perspective of housing staff and community partners. Data were derived from 24 semi-structured interviews conducted as part of a program evaluation. Participants described resident, housing, and system-related reasons for deciding to participate in the R3 program and experiences of their participation. In addition to positive overall assessments, housing partner interviewees reported concrete and psychosocial benefits for housing residents (e.g., connecting with resources, enabling longer stays, empowering residents, alleviating distress) and staffing and resident-related benefits. Community partners perceived more appropriate utilization of services by residents (e.g., reducing emergency transports). Findings elucidate why housing and community partners might be motivated to integrate housing, health, and supportive care to affordable housing for older adults using a wellness team.

Public perceptions of for-profit and nonprofit affordable rental housing providers

ABSTRACT This study uses a vignette experiment to examine public perceptions of for-profit and nonprofit affordable rental housing providers in a controlled environment. Consistent with the contract failure hypothesis, results suggest nonprofits generally are viewed more favorably than for-profits, both in terms of their perceived legitimacy to participate in the preservation of affordable rental housing and their perceived likelihood of treating affordable rental housing residents fairly. These findings offer some evidence that the framing of an affordable rental housing provider’s profit motive can have a significant impact on its ability to garner public support - support that is oftne necessary to carry out its work.

Variables associated with higher community integration among permanent supportive housing residents

ABSTRACT Few studies have used a framework for exploring a broad range of resident characteristics, housing, and service use features that might increase community integration among permanent supportive housing (PSH) residents who have lived in scattered-site or single-site PSH for 6 months to 5+ years. This study is original in identifying predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with higher community integration among PSH residents. PSH residents from Quebec (Canada) were recruited through 25 housing organizations between January 2020 and April 2022. Structured interviews using numerous standardized scales were conducted, each lasting about 90 minutes. Based on the Gelberg-Andersen Behavioral Model, independent variables, measured mostly within 12 months of the interview, were categorized into predisposing, need, and enabling factors. Multivariate linear regression analysis was produced on community integration. Those experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress and having more unmet needs had lower community integration scores. Conversely, residents in single-site PSH located in neighborhoods with good physical conditions and high collective effectiveness, and those who received more outpatient services showed better community integration. Enhancing intergovernmental collaboration to develop high-quality PSH in well-maintained neighborhoods, focusing on socialization and community participation, especially for scattered-site PSH residents, may contribute to improved community integration.

Implementation of an EMS-based naloxone distribution program: A qualitative evaluation.

We evaluated a novel leave-behind naloxone (LBN) program that allows Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to distribute naloxone after an opioid overdose. Our objective was to explore EMS engagement and experiences with the program, as well as interest in education on addiction and harm reduction. We also assessed the acceptability of LBN programs among people who use drugs (PWUD). We conducted telephone interviews with EMS personnel and residents of substance use recovery housing between February and September 2023. EMS personnel described their direct experiences with the LBN program and perceived facilitating factors and barriers to naloxone distribution. First responder interactions and support for LBN were explored with PWUD. A rapid assessment method was used to analyze the interview data. Eighteen of the 23 EMS participants had distributed LBN; most agreed EMS agencies should have an LBN program. Barriers included forgetting, patient acuity, patients declining, and perceived liability. Facilitators included having a clear protocol, accessible kits, and minimal documentation burden. The majority expressed interest in harm reduction education. Eight of the 11 PWUD participants reported recent involvement in an opioid overdose. The majority supported LBN and felt comfortable receiving naloxone training from EMS. In this qualitative evaluation, we found broad support for EMS-based naloxone distribution among EMS personnel and PWUD. We identified several modifiable barriers to the success of such programs, which should be the subject of future investigation. EMS and harm reduction communities should support the expansion of LBN programs across the United States.

PERANCANGAN SISTEM MONITORING JARAK JAUH PINTU PINTAR RUMAH INDEKOS BERBASIS IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS) MENGGUNAKAN PLATFORM BLYNK

Security systems are crucial for ensuring the safety of residents, particularly in boarding houses, which tend to be more vulnerable to criminal activities. In this study, a door security system based on the IoT (Internet of Things) was developed using the Blynk platform. The system is designed to allow boarding house owners and residents to monitor door access via a smartphone, enhancing security more effectively and efficiently. The system utilizes a NodeMCU microcontroller as the control center, which is connected to a door sensor, and provides real-time notifications through the Blynk application. Additionally, activity log features and remote control capabilities are integrated into the system. Testing was conducted through simulation scenarios to evaluate the system's response to various security conditions. The results showed that the system operates effectively and provides real-time notifications to users. This system is expected to serve as an alternative solution for improving boarding house security that is easy to implement and use.

Infrastructural modernization of the agro-industrial complex as the most important vector of accelerated development of rural areas

The article is devoted to the issues of socio-economic development of rural areas - one of the key performance indicators of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan. The aim is to study the economic potential of rural areas, to determine the prospective directions of production and social transformation of Ushterek village of Yevgenyevsky rural district of Pavlodar region. Methods - target, hypothesis setting, strategic planning and forecasting were used to identify problem situations, setting goals and solving problems. Justification and argumentation of reasoning in the work are obtained on the basis of analytical information, including comparison, evaluation, generalization and systematization of statistical data. Results - the authors analyzed the degree of provision with social infrastructure of this region. The influence of various factors on the expansion of this sphere is investigated. The range of problems that hinder the effective activity of this sector is outlined. It is noted that the realization of the economic potential of rural areas will allow solving a number of issues of modernization of infrastructure facilities. Conclusions - the regional system of social resources should take into account the main interests of the state, aimed at improving the quality of life and welfare of the population. These are, first of all, solving the housing problem and meeting the growing needs of residents in quality housing, improving environmental conditions, strengthening the professional training of workers as a basis for increasing labor productivity and the volume of goods and services, creating guarantees of social security of rural residents. The state authorities should be interested in the development of social programs for rural areas, since the earliest solution of the set tasks is the key criterion for the retention of rural residents in rural areas, which is most important for the republic in the context of increasing rates of urbanization.