Housing affordability

Housing affordability relates to the financial pressure caused by housing costs – both for housing itself and for utilities and maintenance

Housing affordability relates to the financial pressure caused by housing costs – payments both for housing itself and for utilities and maintenance.

The effects of housing affordability problems on health can be direct (causing stress and anxiety, for example) and indirect – particularly by reducing people’s disposable income for spending on other things that may promote good health (such as good-quality food). Affordability problems can also contribute to overcrowding, as households seek to split the fixed costs of accommodation with more individuals.

The charts in this section explore the relationship between housing affordability and health, as well as trends and inequalities in housing affordability.