In this dissertation, I examine two research questions. In chapters 2 and 3, based on idea of reference value that was first proposed by Kahneman and Tversky, I look at a potential house seller’s pricing strategy when the reference value plays a role. In chapter 2, I focus on the reference-dependence and its implications on loss aversion behavior, and I compare model predictions with documented empirical findings in the literature. In particular, I show that the stylized empirical evidence in the literature has relatively limited power on testing loss aversion, and I provide new specifications that aim to correctly test the loss aversion effect. In chapter 3, I examine a reference-dependent seller’s pricing strategy in a less heterogeneous housing market such as the multi-unit residential market. Acknowledging the fact that units in the same building serve as close substitutes for each other, I show that the recent transaction price on a unit in the same building may generate two signaling effects. First, the average willingness to pay among buyers is positively correlated with the observed price, which generates a spatio-temporal autocorrelation effect; second, after observing the prior price, the heterogeneity of the potential buyer’s willingness to pay decreases, inducing house sellers to mark down their asking prices. In chapter 4, I examine the power of monitoring and forcing contract on improving the managerial efficiency of REITs. I put particular emphasis on its implications regarding the choice of advisor type in REITs. I show that, for both internal and external advisors, increasing levels of monitoring power will increase their equilibrium effort under a stochastic forcing contract. Furthermore, I show that a crucial driving force regarding advisor choice is the heterogeneity of monitoring power between internal and external advisors and across REIT firms. Provided that the gap of monitoring power is large enough between internal and external advisors, shareholders could make use of the heterogeneity, and induce higher effort from external advisors. Hence, I am able to provide a theoretical justification regarding the potential appeal of an external managerial structure, which is usually regarded as being inferior to an internal managerial structure.

This thesis proposes an incremental response to the challenge of creating increased density within urban residential communities. Responding to the growing need for smaller urban dwellings, and the projected needs caused by future urban population growth, it suggests that infill housing on historic residential lanes and alleys could continue the tradition of small-scale, adaptive, and gradual change along these often-forgotten corridors of older North American cities, and specifically in Hamilton, Ontario. Incremental intensification through laneway housing represents a ground-oriented, modern, and unique housing typology with scale, texture, and ways of living that bring added diversity to the city. With a strategic approach, these houses can generate reinvestment in historic neighbourhoods without destroying the existing urban fabric. Planning reforms, economic realities, and design considerations are analyzed through literature reviews, case studies, and original field research on the laneways in Hamilton, Ontario. Application of the findings establishes incremental laneway housing as a viable catalyst for achieving urban renewal and increased densification in mid-sized North American cities.

Transition homes are critical sources of support for women and children fleeing domestic violence or facing difficulties with housing and poverty. More than just a safe place to stay, transition homes offer residents access to a variety of services that will help them to better their lives. The increasing rate of single women heading households and the rise of homeless women and children are recent social developments that reflect the need for transition homes. Changes in family lifestyle require a redefinition of the traditional housing model to involve sharing and providing services within a larger community. Studies of alternative housing indicate that some women would prefer to live in women-only housing with moderate design alterations that address safety concerns. This is particularly relevant to women who frequently wind up homeless due to problems with career opportunities or managing households on their own. A communal support structure can assist women with making new lives for themselves and their families in a transition home and afterwards. Furthermore, characteristics of the built environment influence personal wellbeing, social interaction, relationships with staff, and the impression on the surrounding community. This thesis explores the design of a transition home that integrates social programs and outreach services to help improve the lives of women and children in need. Through deliberate design choices, architects can offer an appropriate solution to women’s housing issues that foster independence, provide safety and give hope for a brighter future.

This thesis proposes an incremental response to the challenge of creating increased density within urban residential communities. Responding to the growing need for smaller urban dwellings, and the projected needs caused by future urban population growth, it suggests that infill housing on historic residential lanes and alleys could continue the tradition of small-scale, adaptive, and gradual change along these often-forgotten corridors of older North American cities, and specifically in Hamilton, Ontario. Incremental intensification through laneway housing represents a ground-oriented, modern, and unique housing typology with scale, texture, and ways of living that bring added diversity to the city. With a strategic approach, these houses can generate reinvestment in historic neighbourhoods without destroying the existing urban fabric. Planning reforms, economic realities, and design considerations are analyzed through literature reviews, case studies, and original field research on the laneways in Hamilton, Ontario. Application of the findings establishes incremental laneway housing as a viable catalyst for achieving urban renewal and increased densification in mid-sized North American cities.

Transition homes are critical sources of support for women and children fleeing domestic violence or facing difficulties with housing and poverty. More than just a safe place to stay, transition homes offer residents access to a variety of services that will help them to better their lives. The increasing rate of single women heading households and the rise of homeless women and children are recent social developments that reflect the need for transition homes. Changes in family lifestyle require a redefinition of the traditional housing model to involve sharing and providing services within a larger community. Studies of alternative housing indicate that some women would prefer to live in women-only housing with moderate design alterations that address safety concerns. This is particularly relevant to women who frequently wind up homeless due to problems with career opportunities or managing households on their own. A communal support structure can assist women with making new lives for themselves and their families in a transition home and afterwards. Furthermore, characteristics of the built environment influence personal wellbeing, social interaction, relationships with staff, and the impression on the surrounding community. This thesis explores the design of a transition home that integrates social programs and outreach services to help improve the lives of women and children in need. Through deliberate design choices, architects can offer an appropriate solution to women’s housing issues that foster independence, provide safety and give hope for a brighter future.

This thesis explores the idea of complete communities and discusses how condominium development in downtown Toronto can be made more family friendly by focusing on the proposed ‘Official Plan Amendment to Encourage the Development of Units for Households with Children’ (OPA) that is currently before City Council. In order to address this issue, the study employed a detailed policy review of the current planning policies for the City of Toronto and an overview of the planning policies in the City of Vancouver, as well as in-depth interviews with key informants in the planning and development field and parents who have lived in or are currently living in a downtown condominium with at least one child. The findings indicate that there is a growing segment of the population choosing to live in downtown condominiums after having children and that housing and community policy must better address the needs of this population. The proposed OPA would require new high-rise condominium development in downtown Toronto to contain a minimum percentage of three bedroom units suitable for families. This policy would be a significant step towards meeting these needs and creating the desired complete communities; however, it is a contentious issue and there are requirements beyond bedroom counts that need to be addressed to create the supportive family-friendly infrastructure. From these findings, this thesis proposes recommendations and changes to the proposed OPA that would clarify and refine its intentions and implementation. As well, the concept of the family life cycle is reconsidered and an updated model of housing requirements based on the “condo family” is proposed. This research contributes to the literature on families living downtown, condominium living, and the family life cycle.

Affordable housing is currently a hot topic amongst communities across Canada. The housing crisis commenced shortly after 1993 when the government withheld funding for new projects. Since 2001, a new Canada-provincial affordable housing program has been put in place. The provision of affordable housing not only offers shelter to a household but can act as a catalyst for the city, downtown or neighbourhood to revitalize and fix its existing conditions. This thesis explores many aspects of affordable housing from the evolution and typologies to perceptions and opportunities. This topic is complex because there is no one right answer. Parts of the equation, exterior forces, are always changing like family formations and lifestyles. The biggest challenge is the perceptions formed around the topic, some of which are not even true. Case studies of projects from around the world to the recent affordable housing projects located in St. Catharines help inform the design principles and strategies. The principles and strategies can encourage designers to create better affordable housing that will benefit everyone involved. The design principles incorporate all scales, ranging from the city to the individual unit, necessary to provide successful affordable housing. Although this thesis application is located in downtown St. Catharines, the design principles can be applied universally to provide affordable housing for everyone. I hope this thesis also acts as an educational tool to help inform the population about affordable housing and the people who live there.

The following thesis addresses the need for low income housing in Jamaica with the purpose of evaluating the existing circumstances that influence the growth or decline of the low income housing industry. The focus is on identifying solutions that fuel growth. Research on the current state of low income housing in Jamaica and the programs that have been established to aid in the development of such housing, was carried out in the United States and in Jamaica. Questionnaires were developed and sent to individuals within the construction industry, targeting those who participate on low income housing projects. The results were collected, analyzed, described, and were used to extrapolate the research results. From this conclusions were drawn and recommendations made. Although Jamaica is considered a developing nation, in some advancement the island operates on a first world level. However, challenged by economic development, providing low income housing is limited by the resources available and the effectiveness of the programs implemented. This research attempts to create an overview of Jamaicas low income housing industry.

none

This research seeks to improve the current state of knowledge about housing recovery following a major natural disaster through examining single family housing recovery following Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 hurricane, which impacted southern sections of Miami-Dade County in 1992. This inquiry focused on two questions: (1) what is the recovery process for single family housing in a disaster impact area, and (2) how does the housing recovery process vary across households and neighborhoods? To answer these questions, the 1992-96 tax appraisal values for Miami-Dade County were used to measure housing damage and recovery after the storm. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to quantitatively model this recovery process and identify the major factors in play. With regard to the first question, our findings suggested that Hurricane Andrew caused extensive housing damage in the impact area, rendering an average loss to households of 50.4% of pre-disaster home value. Two years after the storm (1994), the average home value returned to its pre-disaster level. In the subsequent two years (1995-96), the average home value continued growing, representing a 7.6% and 14.9% gain, respectively, over the pre-disaster average. Regarding the second question, our analysis found that the housing recovery process varied significantly across households and neighborhoods. Owner-occupied homes recovered more rapidly than rental units. Household income had a positive effect on housing recovery. Our analysis also suggested that post-disaster home sales had a significant negative effect on housing recovery. Neighborhood race/ethnicity composition affected the housing recovery process. Homes in minority populated neighborhoods (both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black) recovered more slowly than homes in majority populated areas (non-Hispanic White). When considering Cuban- Hispanics and non-Cuban Hispanics as two separate groups, neighborhoods with a higher concentration of Cuban-Hispanics, while having no clear advantage at the beginning of the recovery period, recovered more rapidly than other minority populated areas. Previous studies suggested that the long-term impact of natural disasters at the aggregated level is minimal, and yet our results showed that the housing impact of Hurricane Andrew lasted at least more than four years. In fact, housing inequality in the impact area increased markedly during the recovery process due to the unequal nature of housing recovery.