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Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability in Geographic Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2022) | Viewed by 43860

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Grazia Napoli

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Interests: sustainable economic development; real estate valuation; real estate market; environmental economics; environmental impact assessment; urban sustainability; simulation and evaluation models for planning and urban development; territorial and environmental public policies; building and district energy efficiency; financial analysis; financial economics; urban economics; econometrics; decision support systems; multicriteria analysis and evaluation; energy poverty; energy community
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Dr. Maria Rosa Trovato

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: environmental economics; real estate economics; urban economics; urban and land management; urban and land sustainability; cultural resources valuation; multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA); datamining; GIS
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Affordable housing for low-income households is still a serious social problem, and social housing can support the achievement of the objectives of economic feasibility, fairness, and social sustainability.

Social housing is a complex topic that is interrelated with several fields of study—politics, ethics, economics, environment, architecture, and technology. In other words, social policy, at a national and local level, as well as public and private resources, and innovative tax and credit systems, are all necessary to promote social housing.

Social housing also implies social and urban transformations, and is, consequently, connected to urban planning, urban regeneration projects, real estate market dynamics, and cooperation between public and private stakeholders. In the most advanced proposals, social housing may also include environmental sustainability and technological innovation (energy savings, environmentally friendly materials, etc.), and suggest new models of housing units (co-habitation and the sharing of common spaces).

Furthermore, the decision-making process related to SH policies and projects has to be supported by the evaluation of economic feasibility and assessments on social and environmental sustainability.

This Special Issue of Sustainability offers a platform where all different topics may be presented to recompose the multi-faceted subject within a unified framework.

Prof. Grazia Napoli
Prof. Maria Rosa Trovato
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

housing policy
housing economics
housing finance
social housing stock
real estate market
economic evaluation of investments
public private partnership
multiple criteria decision aid
subsidies, incentives and benefits
affordable housing and housing affordability
social cohesion and management
fairness and right to the city
gentrification
urban regeneration
social housing investment facility
income threshold
energy retrofit in social housing
sustainable neighbourhoods
technological innovation
rent and user costs
credit conditions and housing price ratio

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socio-Economic Drivers of Community Acceptance of Sustainable Social Housing: Evidence from Mumbai

by Mahesti Okitasari, Ranjeeta Mishra and Masachika Suzuki

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9321; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14159321 - 29 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2907

Abstract

The impact of socio-cultural outlooks on the acceptance of sustainability measures in a low-income context should be complemented by better understanding of socio-economic drivers to bridge the gaps between policy expectation and acceptance in social housing projects. The study attempts to explore the different aspects of well-being in determining the housing satisfaction of the residents of social housing under the slum rehabilitation schemes in Mumbai. Social housing offers considerably improved social and environmental sustainability components compared to slums; however, social acceptability remains low due to their location disadvantages. Using primary data collection from the sample of 298 households in Mumbai, the paper explores the varying levels of their housing satisfaction. The study found that economic opportunity is low in slum rehabilitation, mostly reflected in the job loss of the second earner, exacerbated by the change of work after shifting to social housing. Among other factors, location, accessibility of the building, household size and opportunity for social engagement play the most critical role in deciding the households’ perceived housing satisfaction with social housing compared to slums. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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32 pages, 8268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Housing and Affordable Rent: The Effectiveness of Legal Thresholds of Rents in Two Italian Metropolitan Cities

by Grazia Napoli, Maria Rosa Trovato and Simona Barbaro

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7172; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14127172 - 11 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2293

Abstract

Social housing is an instrument of housing policies to support those groups of people who are disadvantaged due to particular economic weaknesses and/or social relational fragility. Consequently, to achieve the objective of social sustainability, the rents of social housing must be below the market rents and low enough to be affordable. Italian law has set several rent thresholds which are based on local territorial agreements between landlords and renters associations. This article aims to examine whether these thresholds generate social fairness and housing affordability within each city and between different cities, or instead inequalities and spatial asymmetries. A cluster analysis is applied to study whether the goal of fairness is achieved, while the effectiveness of providing housing affordability is assessed by comparing the benchmarked rents with those of the national ministerial Real Estate Market Observatory. Two metropolitan cities—one in the north and another in the south of Italy—with different social and economic characteristics were chosen as case studies. The results show that variations in rents, location, and housing quality are fairly consistent within urban areas and cities. However, the benchmarked rents are not consistently related to the market rents and are often higher than the latter, failing to meet the provision of affordable housing that was the primary goal of the law. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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19 pages, 4354 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Critical Junctures in Sustainable Social Housing Policy Development in Saudi Arabia: A Review

by Khalid Abdullah Mulhim Al Mulhim, Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan and Shahed Khan

Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2979; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14052979 - 03 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3366

Abstract

Historicising social housing delivery approach is extensively carried out for Western countries, but studies of social housing policy journey are less focused on developing nations and examining the policy development within resource-abundant Middle Eastern countries is even rarer. Applying a critical juncture approach through the historical institutionalism lens, this paper seeks to understand the evolution of social housing policies within the Saudi Arabian context. An in-depth policy review suggests that the institutional response in this sector has transitioned from a public-welfare perspective to a more neoliberal vision in recent times. The study also indicates a time-lag in policy development regarding social housing within the urban development process in Saudi Arabia compared to global movement. During the past few years, the government has begun to focus on social housing under the developmental housing program with a commitment to link these strategies to the Saudi Vision 2030. While this is a significant policy-shift in the service delivery approach, such vision could be workable as long as sufficient room is built in for other non-government actors to work within their specific protocols and frameworks as they collaborate to provide affordable and appropriate housing for the neediest groups of the society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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27 pages, 1284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Housing Policy: An Analysis of Public Housing Policy Strategies for Low-Income Earners in Nigeria

by Emmanuel Joseph Odoyi and Kirsikka Riekkinen

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2258; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14042258 - 16 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5907

Abstract

This article evaluates the Global South housing policy for low-income earners by utilising the Nigerian example to analyse public housing policy strategies used to provide housing to low-income earners. The materials employed in the study were housing policy programme documents provided by various ministries that are linked to housing between 1991 and 2020. The housing policy documents were subjected to qualitative content and thematic analysis. The analysis of the selected housing policy documents showed seven key policy strategies that are intended to strengthen affordable housing development. These strategic themes are funds, schemes, governments, implementation, development, land, and rurality. The findings indicated that the existence of housing policy strategical themes does not translate to affordable housing development and housing affordability for low-income earners, though the effective activation and implementation of strategical themes will promote affordable housing development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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20 pages, 1311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Housing Cost Burdens and Parental Support for Young Renters in South Korea

by Hyun-Jeong Lee and Yoon-Seo Hwang

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 11105; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131911105 - 08 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2465

Abstract

In Korea, the housing issues faced by young renters negatively impact both their parents and themselves. This study aimed at exploring young renters’ situations whereby they receive financial support from their parents in order to pay current housing expenses, and their perception of housing cost burdens. Additionally, this study examined the influences on the reception of parental support and their perceived housing cost burdens. In February and March of 2021, an online questionnaire survey was conducted amongst young renters living independently from their parents and 385 responses from Jeonse renters and monthly renters with deposits in private rental housing units were analyzed. The major findings are as follows: (1) among the subjects, 43.4% had experienced receiving parental support in order to pay for housing expenses since their first instance of independent living, and 35.6% were still receiving parental support. (2) A discriminant model with a linear combination of the variables of age, income, residential location and rental deposit was found effective in predicting the receipt of parental support with 66.5% accuracy. (3) A linear combination of the variables of gender, rental deposit and monthly cash housing expenses was found to explain 5.8% of the total variance of perceived housing cost burdens. The results imply the necessity to expand the provision of public housing and housing subsidies to alleviate the financial burdens of young renters and their parents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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16 pages, 490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Outwards Regeneration Effects (OREs) in Neighborhood-Based Projects: A Reversal of Perspective and the Proposal for a New Tool

by Valeria Saiu

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10559; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su122410559 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2745

Abstract

This paper proposes a reversal of perspective in the evaluation of Regeneration projects. Until now, attention has been mainly focused on project “internal effectiveness”, in reference to the environment and life quality improvement of the areas directly affected by the interventions. The effects induced in the wider urban context are rarely sufficiently analyzed. This aspect instead opens an important field of investigation, useful for a broader assessment of regeneration initiatives, especially with regards to Public Housing Neighborhoods where the long-term project success also depends on the positive effects it generates in the surroundings. Therefore, the aim of this research is to develop a conceptualization of “Outwards Regeneration Effects” (OREs), based on an extensive literature review, and to make it operational through a conceptual framework for the qualitative analysis. The results of this study, on the one hand, highlight several critical issues raised by the interventions implemented so far, and, on the other hand, provide a more effective assessment framework, useful in the evaluation of future projects. Further developments of such an approach could lead to the development of operational evaluation models, combining both qualitative and quantitative indicators, starting from the implementation of the proposed analytic framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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20 pages, 1870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Addressing Social Sustainability in Urban Regeneration Processes. An Application of the Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation

by Bottero Marta and Datola Giulia

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7579; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12187579 - 14 Sep 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4317

Abstract

The concept of sustainability is widely seen as fundamental to set up urban and territorial transformations. Sustainable development is a multidimensional and multi-perspective process that deals with the environmental, economic, and social dimensions, with the aim to find a balance among these. Despite this growing attention to sustainability the social perspective has been the less explored of these dimensions and only recently it is receiving consideration due the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim at creating sustainable and inclusive cities and communities. In the SDGs, specific attention is focused on the improvement of the quality of life of inhabitants through specific actions dedicated to the valorization of cultural resources, to the protection of the environment, and also to promote the involvement of the local communities in setting policies and programs. The final objective is defining projects based on the social needs shared by the communities. This paper aims at exploring the social sustainability related to urban regeneration processes with particular attention to social cohesion and community engagement. Six different urban regeneration strategies, developed for the regeneration of an urban area located in Northern Italy and based on social housing interventions, have been evaluated in accordance with their social impacts on the stakeholders involved. The paper proposes a multi-methodological approach based on the combination of the stakeholder analysis with the NAIADE (Novel Approach to Imprecise Assessment and Decision Environments) methodology, a particular type of Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation. The stakeholder analysis has been applied to identify the actors to involve in the evaluation, whereas the NAIADE methodology has been implemented for the selection of the most preferable strategy. This method allowed the assessment of the different strategies through the comparison and the mediation between the technical and the social rankings, thus considering the stakeholder preferences in the final evaluation. The final result is coherent with the initial purpose and it demonstrates that the inclusion of the stakeholder is fundamental for the achievement of a consensus solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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17 pages, 2735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Infrastructures and Sustainability: An Estimation Model for a New Highway Near Genoa

by Paolo Rosasco and Leopoldo Sdino

Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 5051; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12125051 - 20 Jun 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1955

Abstract

The economic development of a territory is strongly correlated to its level of infrastructure (railway, roads, etc.); the complexity of this type of works requires careful planning and design that cannot be separated from the assessment of the impacts generated on citizenship affected by the new infrastructures. This study deals with the instrument defined by the Liguria Region for the implementation of infrastructures through the instruments called “Programmi Regionali di Intervento Strategico—P.R.I.S.” (Regional Strategic Intervention Programs) established by the Regional Law n. 39/2007. The aim of the P.R.I.S. is to guarantee the social protection of citizens that reside (as owners or tenants) or carry out economic activities in real estate units incompatible with the construction of the infrastructure, according to the main Italian law (Presidential Decree n. 327/2001) about the expropriation of private real estate for the construction of public works. In particular, the construction of a new link of the A7-A10-A12 motorway sections near the city of Genoa (called “Gronda”) is considered. The new infrastructure involves the expropriation of about 100 residential units and the relocation of about 50 production activities; the related P.R.I.S. defines the conditions that allow social cohesion through the recognition of indemnities for the expropriation of the real estate properties and the compensation of other expenses that the residents have to pay for their relocation. The valuation of the indemnities is developed through a multi-parameter model applicable for the estimation of real estate units (residential and productive) at a large-scale (mass appraisal); it is derived from the Market Comparison Approach and considers the most meaningful real estate characteristics. The aim is to develop a mass appraisal estimation model applicable in an easy way on real estate units with different destinations use. The model can be applied for the estimation of ordinary and special indemnities to be recognized for owners and tenants affected by the expropriation of their real estate units for the construction of public projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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21 pages, 6281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Affordable Housing vs. Urban Land Rent in Widespread Settlement Areas

by Raul Berto, Giovanni Cechet, Carlo Antonio Stival and Paolo Rosato

Sustainability 2020, 12(8), 3129; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12083129 - 13 Apr 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2720

Abstract

Social housing constitutes a partial response to the demand for affordable housing. In Europe, there are different forms of social housing, which are distinguishable based on whether they employ a universal or residual approach. The latter is employed by Italian initiatives for social residential construction, the financial instrument of which is the Investment Fund for Housing, a closed-end fund managed by CDP (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti) Investment, which provides public–private partnerships. The main obstacle to the supply of low-cost houses is the high cost of building areas or, in other words, the high urban land rent. The value of building areas is particularly high in urban areas and in widespread settlement areas, for instance, in Northeastern Italy. The main objective of this paper is to identify the trade-off between urban land rent and housing affordability in a social housing intervention in Pordenone (Northeastern Italy). Four different scenarios are developed, the variables of which are: Cost of the area (urban rent), cost of construction works (quality of the buildings), and household income distribution. The results show that achieving the economic and social objectives of a social housing investment simultaneously is not possible in any of the scenarios evaluated. To allow the social groups most in need to access affordable housing would require a reduction of approximately 30% of the estimated cost of a building area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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19 pages, 919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Housing: An Appraisal Model of the Economic Benefits in Urban Regeneration Programs

by Lucia Della Spina, Francesco Calabrò and Alessandro Rugolo

Sustainability 2020, 12(2), 609; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12020609 - 14 Jan 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3153

Abstract

The decision-making process relating to Social Housing (SH) policies and projects involves social and urban transformations and is consequently linked to urban planning, urban regeneration projects, the dynamics of the real estate market and cooperation between public and private developers. Furthermore, this decision-making process must be supported by assessments relating to economic feasibility and assessments on social and environmental sustainability. The paper illustrates a decision support evaluation model for the implementation of integrated urban redevelopment programs related to Social Housing interventions to be implemented in PPP. The model is based on the search for an economic balance between the interests of the parties involved, with the aim of maximizing the share of housing in SH by minimizing the public contribution quota. The model was developed on a degraded settlement of Public Residential Construction, the subject of a wider urban regeneration program in the Municipality of Reggio Calabria (Italy). Considering the financial feasibility constraint for the developer and the conditions of the local real estate market, with the risk of the investment attached to it, the model makes it possible to verify the economic sustainability and the financial feasibility of the interventions in SH through the estimation of: (i) The profit of the developer/investor; (ii) the trade-in value to be paid to the developer against the investment; (iii) the maximum share of SH to be carried out in development. The research and the results obtained highlight the utility of the model and the ease of use in the programming phase, in relation to urban regeneration programs that involve interventions in SH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

Review

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19 pages, 623 KiB

Open AccessReview

Can Malaysia’s National Affordable Housing Policy Guarantee Housing Affordability of Low-Income Households?

by Jian Liu and Huay Ying Ong

Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8841; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13168841 - 07 Aug 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 9513

Abstract

Housing affordability is a long-held issue in Malaysia, and housing policies have been implemented for low-income households over the years. However, there is a contradiction that housing affordability of low-income households has not been met, while the bulk of affordable housing is still vacant. In 2019, Malaysia enacted the National Affordable Housing Policy (DRMM) which was intended to improve housing affordability for low-income groups. This paper aims to answer why Malaysia’s long-term implementation of affordable housing policies cannot guarantee housing affordability, and whether the DRMM can effectively improve housing affordability as expected, by comparing the empirical factors of housing affordability. A literature review and a comparative analysis are adopted in the research. The paper concludes that low household income, high land price, construction cost and compliance cost, mismatch of supply and demand in terms of quantity, the instability of the national economy, low home financing ability, and incomprehensive housing planning have caused low housing affordability of low-income groups in Malaysia. The DRMM as anticipated can improve housing affordability by supplying affordable housing more precisely, lowering housing costs, and improving home financing ability. However, the exclusion of household income and economic factors may cause the ineffectiveness of the DRMM in improving housing affordability for low-income households. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency, Fairness and Sustainability in Social Housing Policy and Projects)

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