Housing, neighbourhoods, and wellbeing

Abstract

Housing conditions such as quality, tenure, affordability, stability, and neighbourhood characteristics are often considered in global composite indices and dashboards on wellbeing - on the presumption that they are linked to wellbeing. Indeed, housing provides the context for several of the factors that determine subjective wellbeing, including family-life, social interaction, work and lifestyle choices, as well as internal and external environmental quality. Focusing on research identifying a causal relationship, this chapter reviews empirical evidence on the relationship between housing/neighbourhoods, interventions thereon, and wellbeing. The evidence suggests that housing tenure as well as improved housing and neighbourhood quality are positively linked to wellbeing, while financial burden may have a negative impact. The effect of housing interventions on wellbeing is generally positive, but the results are not unequivocal. The manner in which such interventions are implemented, particularly the extent of stakeholder involvement, seems to influence outcomes. The wellbeing effects of interventions are also context dependent. Interventions can interact with income, age, and other demographic conditions to generate diverse results. The channels by which housing impacts wellbeing add another layer of complexity, which merits further research. Incorporating wellbeing impact assessments within interventions designed to infer causality can yield useful evidence for the development of future interventions in this domain.