Affordable housing is the core foundation of any healthy society. This is why governments around the world have programs in place to make housing affordable for residents. Everyone n
It Is in Tight Supply
Currently, there is something of a housing shortage. This is not just a real estate problem that is specific to the United States. Globally, many cities are experiencing issues. As a result of this, many owners can take advantage and charge what they like. Of course, it should be done in line with fair profits and inflation, but this rarely happens. You need to do some research to find a house at a good cost in this market. Affordable housing is not exactly abundant.
New Construction Is Not Affordable Housing
Most construction industries are seeking to make a profit. There is no real incentive to provide affordable housing, unless there are government programs. Due to this, most projects in cities tend to be for luxury apartments that are hard to get. In the interest of profit, expensive houses are going up that nobody can afford. This is a trend that is leading to increased wealth polarization.
What It Is
The definition of affordable housing will depend on the specific country. Even regionally and locally, it can vary. There is no global description of what it is. In the United States, it is currently defined as a house where the annual mortgage costs no more than 30% of the total income. Obviously, this is a substandard definition. It fails to take into account many variables. For example, each house will have its own circumstances, such as the total number of children, health care, income, etc. Additionally, affordable housing is typically located far from city centers. This means either that wages will be lower or that the transportation costs will increase.
Ultimately, the concept of affordable housing depends entirely on your circumstances. It needs to be affordable for you. In the end, this is the main priority, and you need to weigh all of your options.
