In the last decade, a remarkable shift has occurred in the developing world: the enhancement of girls’ education.
Numerous organizations, such as Camfed, and reputable entities like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, have made significant strides in encouraging girls to enroll in primary and secondary schools, ultimately guiding them towards higher education.
The Importance of Social Housing
Yet, we must also consider the unintentional ramifications of pushing girls and women toward advanced educational achievements and workforce participation—especially when other vital economic factors, like access to affordable housing, are neglected.
A clear connection exists between rising property values and increasing household incomes, particularly as more women join the labor force—a pattern observed in numerous developed nations.
Challenges Faced by Two-Income Families
As the supply of social housing dwindles, two-income households find themselves vying for space in the private housing market.
Initially, they could outbid single-income families for quality homes.
However, as two salaries became commonplace, the competition intensified, driving property prices even higher among these dual-income families.
Governments around the globe recognize the critical role of social housing in stabilizing their local housing markets, providing practical, economical options for families with average incomes.
The Global Housing Crisis
According to forecasts from the World Bank, by next year, around 1.6 billion people will be affected by a global housing crisis.
Even the World Economic Forum, a gathering ground for influential leaders in Davos, is beginning to address these pressing housing challenges.
Yet, without a robust infrastructure for socially-owned, affordable housing, private developers are likely to limit new projects to maintain high prices.
This situation weighs heavily on households in developing regions, siphoning off their increasing disposable incomes much like what has been witnessed in wealthier nations.
Source: The guardian