Inequality in Housing Affordability in Urban Areas based on the Socio-economic Characteristics of Households (Application of the Gini Coefficient)

The purpose of the present paper is to evaluate the policies implemented in the housing sector to reduce inequality in housing affordability in the urban areas of Iran. This study aimed to use the Gini coefficient and the data of the statistical plan of household income and expenditure surveys of the Center of Statistics of Iran in order to study inequality in housing affordability in urban housing in the form of three indicators of housing price to income ratio, the ratio of the cost of housing to the total household cost, and the space used by each person during the periods of 2006 and 2016. The results show that the highest level of inequality is related to the housing price to income ratio and the lowest is the ratio of cost of housing to total household costs. Furthermore, the Gini coefficient of income, the ratio of housing prices to income and space used by each person during the period under review is decreasing. Female head-of-households, illiterate head-of-households, and private-sector workers were identified as target groups supported by housing programs. The results suggest that increasing income inequality will increase inequality in housing. Hence, the adoption and implementation of appropriate policies and strategic plans to provide housing for people in need of society and reduce inequalities should be the priority of planners and policymakers in the housing sector.