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Why affordability matters

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  • Gabriel, Stuart
  • Painter, Gary

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed widespread public concern and increased policy attention to issues of housing affordability. In 2015 a full one-half of U.S. households were paying more than 30 percent of their income in rent. We identify multiple channels by which individual or family outcomes are inferior when rents increase faster than income. Research further suggests that rising rent burdens may reduce the economic potential of metropolitan areas. This paper reviews the evidence on why affordability matters.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel, Stuart & Painter, Gary, 2020. "Why affordability matters," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:regeco:v:80:y:2020:i:c:s0166046217303058
    DOI: 10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2018.07.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Christian A. L. Hilber & Olivier Schoni, 2022. "Housing policy and affordable housing," CEP Occasional Papers 56, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    2. Charles Ka Yui LEUNG, 2022. "Housing and Macroeconomics," ISER Discussion Paper 1197, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University.
    3. Gabriella Grosz & Gabor Izsak & Alexandr Maxim Palicz & Katinka Szasz, 2023. "Improving Access to Credit for First-Time Home Buyers under Borrower-Based Measures," Financial and Economic Review, Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary), vol. 22(2), pages 25-53.
    4. Charles Ka Yui Leung & Kwok Ping Tsang, 2023. "A special issue on housing affordability: An introduction," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 41(1), pages 7-8, January.
    5. Mario Andres Fernandez & Shane L. Martin, 2021. "Affordable housing policies in a post-COVID aftermath," International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(1), pages 126-144, April.

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