An exploratory study on housing deficit: for Housing Studies students (information from perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "What is housing deficit (quantitative and qualitative) all about in housing studies?"
The reply: "Housing deficit in housing studies refers to the shortfall or inadequacy in housing provision and can be understood in two main ways: quantitative and qualitative deficits.
Quantitative housing deficit (or housing backlog) is the numerical shortfall of housing units in relation to the population or households. It measures how many additional housing units need to be built or provided to accommodate the current population adequately. This includes households without their own dwelling, those sharing housing with other families, or living in severely inadequate or dilapidated homes. It essentially captures the gap between the available housing stock and the housing demand.
Qualitative housing deficit deals with the quality of existing housing. It estimates how many households live in sub-standard housing conditions based on material quality, structural safety, access to basic services (water, sanitation, electricity), overcrowding, security of tenure, and other adequacy factors. This aspect reflects deficiencies in the habitability and basic adequacy of housing rather than the sheer number of units. Definitions may vary but typically include lack of infrastructure and poor structural conditions.
In essence, the quantitative deficit answers "how many homes are missing?" while the qualitative deficit addresses "how many homes are inadequate or deficient?" Both are critical for understanding housing challenges comprehensively and ensuring that policies not only increase housing supply but also improve housing quality.
This dual approach is widely used in housing studies and policy to target housing needs accurately and design interventions that address both shortages and substandard living conditions."
My question 2: "What have been the research gaps and research issues on this topic over the past 20 years?"
The reply: "Research on housing deficit over the past 20 years has exposed several key gaps and issues:
Lack of Uniform Definitions and Methodologies: There is no global standard or consistent framework to define and measure housing deficit uniformly across countries and studies. The definitions of both quantitative and qualitative deficits vary widely, affecting comparability and meaningful cross-country analyses. For example, overcrowding is ambiguous and variably counted as either qualitative or quantitative deficit or both. Such definitional divergences lead to large variation in housing deficit estimates even for the same country.
Data Limitations and Outdated Figures: Much research relies on macro-level or outdated data that do not account for rapid urban population growth and housing stock flow. Micro-level data analysis to identify adequate housing conditions by household segment is scarce, making it difficult to capture within-country disparities in housing needs accurately.
Overemphasis on Quantitative Deficit: Many studies focus predominantly on the number of missing housing units (quantitative deficit) and overlook the complex qualitative aspects, such as structural adequacy, access to services, and security of tenure, which reflect deeper housing inadequacies.
Lack of Disaggregated and Segmented Analysis: Few studies provide detailed and disaggregated housing deficit estimates by income groups, location, or other socio-economic characteristics. This limits understanding of how housing needs vary across population segments and geographic areas, leading to potentially ineffective housing interventions.
Need for Multi-Dimensional and Policy-Actionable Frameworks: There is a call for frameworks like the Adequate Housing Index (AHI) that integrate multiple housing adequacy dimensions, linking housing quality with social and economic well-being. Such frameworks can better guide targeted housing policy and investment decisions.
Limited Longitudinal and Qualitative Research: Despite recognition of housing quality’s impact on health, education, and well-being, longitudinal and qualitative studies evaluating the effects of housing interventions remain limited.
In summary, key research gaps include inconsistent measurement approaches, reliance on limited or outdated data, insufficient focus on qualitative housing needs, lack of population segmentation, and the need for integrated frameworks for policy relevance. Addressing these gaps remains critical for advancing housing studies and improving housing policy effectiveness globally. Over the past 20 years, research on housing deficit has faced several key gaps and issues:
There is no global standard or consistent methodology for defining and measuring housing deficits, which leads to widely varying estimates and hampers cross-country comparisons. For example, definitions of adequacy and the role of overcrowding vary greatly across studies, affecting both quantitative and qualitative deficit measurements.
Many studies rely on macro-level or outdated data that fail to capture rapid population growth and housing dynamics, while micro-level, household-segmented analyses are scarce, limiting understanding of within-country disparities.
Existing research often prioritizes quantitative housing deficits (the number of missing housing units) over qualitative deficits (housing quality and adequacy), leaving the complexity of housing insufficiency underexplored.
Disaggregated housing deficit estimates by income, location, or other socio-economic factors are limited, reducing insights into how housing shortages and inadequacies affect different population segments and undermining targeted policy effectiveness.
There is a demand for multi-dimensional and policy-actionable frameworks like the Adequate Housing Index (AHI), which integrates various dimensions of housing adequacy to better inform interventions.
Longitudinal and qualitative research assessing the effects of housing conditions on health, education, and social outcomes remains insufficient.
Addressing these gaps—harmonizing definitions, improving data quality and granularity, and adopting integrated frameworks—remains essential for better understanding and tackling housing deficits worldwide."
My question 3: "What have been the Hong Kong public media-reported issues on this topic over the past 20 years?"
The reply: "Over the past 20 years, Hong Kong public media have frequently reported housing issues centered on severe housing deficits and poor living conditions, particularly for low-income residents. Key reported issues include:
Subdivided Flats and "Coffin Homes": Media reports highlight the prevalence of extremely small, subdivided flats where multiple families share cramped spaces with poor ventilation and hygiene. "Coffin homes" as tiny as 1.4 to 1.7 square meters, often windowless, have been described as unlivable and a "shame of Hong Kong." Despite new laws introduced to regulate minimum space and safety standards, many small and substandard flats remain widespread. High rents for these tiny flats impose burdens on the poor, many of whom have long waits for public housing.
Long Waiting Times for Public Housing: Waiting times for public rental housing have been reported as long as five and a half years, reflecting severe housing supply shortages for low- and middle-income groups. This shortage contributes to overcrowded and substandard living situations for many.
Rising Construction and Housing Costs: Reports from the Hong Kong Housing Authority indicate increasing public housing construction expenditures due to site constraints and rising costs, creating challenges for meeting housing demand despite ambitious supply targets (308,000 public units in 10 years). Financial deficits and rising costs constrain the Authority’s capacity to address demand.
Social and Political Impact: The housing crisis is tied to social inequality and unrest, including contributing factors behind the 2019 anti-government protests, underscoring housing as a major political and social issue in Hong Kong.
Government Actions and Targets: Hong Kong has set goals such as eliminating subdivided flats by 2049 and boosting new public housing construction with identified land for about 308,000 units. Transitional housing and refurbished flats have also been expanded to ease immediate needs.
In summary, media reports over the past two decades have focused on the dual aspects of housing deficit in Hong Kong: severe quantitative shortages of affordable public housing, and qualitative deficits exemplified by cramped, unsafe, and unaffordable subdivided flats. These issues remain at the forefront of public debate and policy priorities."
My question 4: "What are the academic theories on this topic? Please provide 5 academic references on them in Harvard reference format."
The reply: "Here are five key academic theories related to housing deficit, with relevant references in Harvard format:
- Housing Deficit Theory (Morris and Winter, 1978)This theory conceptualizes housing deficit as the gap between actual housing conditions and normatively defined cultural and familial housing standards, leading to dissatisfaction and housing adjustments. It emphasizes the role of socially constructed housing norms in understanding deficit and residential satisfaction.Reference:Morris, E.W. & Winter, M., 1975. A Theory of Family Housing Adjustment. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 41(4), pp.281-290.
- Adequate Housing Framework and Deficit Measurement (Behr et al., 2021)Scholars propose a comprehensive framework (Adequate Housing Index) to quantify both quantitative and qualitative housing deficits across countries using multiple dimensions of housing adequacy, moving beyond simplistic unit shortfall counts to address various socio-economic housing adequacy factors.Reference:Behr, D.M., Darvas, Z. & Winkler, H., 2021. Introducing the Adequate Housing Index (AHI): A New Approach to Estimate the Adequate Housing Deficit within and across Emerging Economies. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper.
- Residential Satisfaction and Housing Needs Theory (Rossi, 1955)This theory links housing deficit and dissatisfaction to the mismatch between a household's housing needs and its current housing, which change across life cycles, stressing that perceived housing adequacy is dynamic and demand-driven.Reference:Rossi, P.H., 1955. Why Families Move: A Study in the Social Psychology of Urban Residential Mobility. Free Press.
- Economic Complexity and Housing Deficit Theory (Andreoli et al., 2023)This recent theory links the complexity of a region's economic structure to housing deficit, arguing that sophisticated economic systems reduce housing deficits by enabling better housing conditions and public policy effectiveness.Reference:Andreoli, A.C., 2023. Economic Complexity and Housing Deficit: An Econometric Analysis of Brazilian States. Journal of Housing and Built Environment.
- Urban Housing Value Theory and Supply Elasticity (Obeng-Odoom, 2022)This theory addresses how inelastic housing supply in urban areas causes housing deficits, leading to increased prices and affordability challenges, highlighting the economic dynamics behind deficits in supply-constrained housing markets.Reference:Obeng-Odoom, F., 2022. Urban Housing Analysis and Theories of Value. Cities, 119, 103385.".
My question 5: "Provide a dissertation proposal a 4-month part-time housing studies project on the following research theme: "the relationship between housing deficit and gross domestic happiness in Hong Kong over the past 5 years"; the proposal should include a project title, 4 related research objectives, 3 related research questions, 2 primary research methods, 1 secondary research method, and a project timeline. The overall research philosophy is pragmatism."
The reply: "Dissertation Proposal: Housing Studies Part-Time Project (4 months)
Research Objectives
To assess the extent and characteristics of quantitative and qualitative housing deficits in Hong Kong between 2020 and 2025.
To examine trends in gross domestic happiness (GDH) indicators in Hong Kong during the same period.
To analyze the correlation and causal mechanisms linking housing deficits with changes in GDH metrics.
To develop policy recommendations aimed at enhancing happiness outcomes by addressing housing deficiencies.
Research Questions
How have quantitative and qualitative housing deficits evolved in Hong Kong over the past five years?
What are the trends in gross domestic happiness indicators in Hong Kong between 2020 and 2025?
What is the nature and strength of the relationship between housing deficits and gross domestic happiness in Hong Kong?
Primary Research Methods
Survey-based quantitative research to collect data from Hong Kong residents about housing conditions and self-reported happiness/well-being.
Semi-structured interviews with policymakers, housing experts, and community leaders to gain qualitative insights into the housing deficit’s impact on happiness.
Conduct systematic literature review
Design survey instrument and interview guides
Obtain ethical approval for primary data collection
Month 2:
Administer and collect survey data from a representative sample of Hong Kong residents
Begin scheduling and conducting semi-structured interviews
Month 3:
Complete interviews
Analyze quantitative survey data using statistical methods
Analyze qualitative interview data using thematic coding
Month 4:
Integrate findings from primary and secondary research
Write dissertation chapters: introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions
Submit draft for supervisor feedback and finalize dissertation for submission
My question 6: "Comment on the originality, academic and practical values of this study; also comment on the research ethics issues involved in this study."
The reply: "The study on the relationship between housing deficit and gross domestic happiness (GDH) in Hong Kong is original in its explicit integration of housing shortages and qualitative inadequacies with a broader, wellbeing-focused measure like GDH. While prior research has explored housing and happiness separately or in general social contexts, focusing on GDH—an emerging holistic metric—and linking this to housing deficits in Hong Kong’s unique socio-economic setting over the recent five years offers new empirical insight and policy relevance.
Academically, this study advances literature by combining quantitative and qualitative housing deficit measures with subjective wellbeing indicators rooted in the GDH framework, adopting a pragmatic mixed-methods approach. It fills gaps identified in previous research that treats housing quantity or quality and wellbeing as siloed issues. Using a recent timeframe also addresses calls for more up-to-date, micro-level, and localized data in housing-wellbeing studies (particularly in dense, high-cost urban contexts like Hong Kong).
Practically, findings could guide policymakers to tailor housing interventions that explicitly enhance population happiness, not just housing availability. It supports comprehensive urban planning improvements promoting social equity and wellbeing. The study’s applied focus on policy-relevant recommendations aligns with Hong Kong’s pressing housing crisis and government aspirations for improved quality of life through housing reforms.
Regarding research ethics, key ethical considerations include:
Ensuring informed consent and confidentiality for survey and interview participants, especially as housing and happiness are sensitive topics.
Avoiding harm or distress by providing support contacts if discussing poor housing or wellbeing elicits emotional responses.
Maintaining anonymity and securely storing personal data to protect privacy.
Being transparent about the purpose and use of data, and allowing participant withdrawal at any time.
Addressing any conflicts of interest and reporting findings honestly and respectfully.
Overall, the study promises original, academically valuable, and policy-relevant contributions while upholding robust ethical standards given the sensitive nature of housing and happiness research."
A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.
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