Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Hous.M)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / "31st December, 1994"--P. [i] Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-96). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-170). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-114) Also available in print.

The access to adequate housing is a constitutional right, in terms of Section 26 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Access to housing in South Africa is still an ideal and not a reality. The increase in housing prices reduces affordability, which creates a barrier to the housing market for South Africans to fully participate. The South African housing market is divided, based on the affordability of households, with a gap within the property market. The gap-housing market is a market, which does not receive a government subsidy; and furthermore, it does not qualify for bond finance by the private financial institutions. The gap-housing market includes households that earn between R3,500 to R15,000 per month for residential properties valued between R116,703 to R483,481. The problem is a lack of supply in the gap-housing market to meet the demand; and this is also affected by the poor performance of the subsidy-housing market. The gap-housing market is not traded adequately, due to a lack of supply caused by stricter lending criteria from the banks. The study was conducted by means of reviewing the related literature and by an empirical study. A survey was conducted using the quantitative approach through a distribution of research questionnaires to different organizations within the judgement sample population. The objective of the study is to review the gap-housing market and to make recommendations. The descriptive survey was conducted among specialists that are participating in the South African housing market. The findings of the study suggest that there is a relationship between incentive and participation, as well as a relationship between participation – with access, supply and trading in the gap-housing market. This study will contribute to the South African housing market body of knowledge – by addressing the problem of a gap within the housing market.

Thesis (DTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-219). / Few issues in the public domain have attracted so much attention than the provision of housing to the poor. The provision of housing to the poor has always been a contentious issue, and has acquired special significance in the current political environment. This study describes, analyses and assesses attempts by central, provincial and local spheres of government to honour the constitutional provision of the right to have access to adequate housing. The study consists of an extensive review of the literature that comprises books, legislation and journal articles accessed from the Internet. In the process, a study is made of management theory, public management theory, and legislation pertaining to housing, as well as strategic management. On the basis of this study, an input/output transformational systems model is presented of how the Housing Department of the City of Cape Town can guide its management staff in achieving their strategic objectives. The model is a normative one intent on assisting managers to attain understanding of set objectives effectively and efficiently. The assumptions underlying the model emphasise that the model strives to improve performance. Data were collected by means of a mixed approach of a questionnaire and semistructured interviews amongst management staff in the Housing Department. The analysis of the data collected by the questionnaire was done using SPSS, with the assistance of a registered statistician. The study researched various aspects of legislative arrangements that can be utilised with a view to improving the housing delivery function. One critical aspect in the provision of housing that enjoyed attention during the semi-structured interviews is the transfer of funding for housing from the central sphere of government directly to the municipality without the provincial government acting as an intermediate. The study concludes by advising on the feasibility of conducting further research on the increasing involvement of the City of Cape Town in eviction actions brought to Court by private individuals.

Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Martin Seay / For many decades, the American Dream of homeownership has been a source of pride and one of the traditional ways to improve financial and non-financial well-being for American households. However, during the recent housing crisis, millions of homeowners lost their homes or experienced negative home equity due to job loss, reductions in work hours, or a decline in home values. The recent housing crisis made many individuals and families rethink their American Dream. As with most investments, there are some risks associated with owning a home, especially when housing markets are volatile and the economy is uncertain. Understanding the relationship between household’s risk preference and homeownership decisions may help households make better and more informed decisions regarding their housing tenure choice. This study investigates the relationship between household’s risk preference and homeownership decisions among young adults made during the stability in the housing market, which occurred around 1993, and during the decline in the housing market, which occurred around 2010. This study also examined demographic and economic characteristics of homeowners during those periods. Two separate datasets from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 and the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 were utilized to address research questions and research hypotheses under the lens of the expected utility theory. The results showed shifts in household’s rick preferences, homeownership rates, and demographic and economic characteristics between periods. Compared to households who preferred lowest risk level, households who preferred highest risk level were more likely to own a home in both periods. The relationships between household’s risk preference and homeownership decisions did not change between periods. However, some relationships between household’s demographic and economic characteristics and homeownership decisions changed between periods. The findings of this study have several important implications for potential homebuyers, lenders, and personal financial planning practitioners. Household’s risk preference, as well as demographic and economic characteristics, should be considered during the home purchase process. The findings also expand the literature on expected utility theory, household’s risk preference, and homeownership research areas.

Using personal narrative, interviews, and research, this thesis project looks at how the middle-class American home has been transformed, by people like me, into a modem-day public square.

This dissertation includes three papers examining financial long-term care planning among low-income aging adults and the consequences of Medicaid policies like estate recovery. Paper one considers Medicaid estate recovery and its impact on Medicaid enrollment and homeownership among low-income adults age 65 and older. Paper two examines the estate planning and wealth transfer behaviors of a cohort of older adults newly enrolled in Medicaid. Finally, paper three presents a case study of Medicaid estate recovery in North Carolina. Collectively, these three papers find that Medicaid policies that target older adults may be having disparate effects depending on socioeconomic status, race, and rurality and exacerbating disparities in intergenerational transfers of wealth while recouping little for state Medicaid programs.