Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Arthur Grimes
Author-X-Name-First: Arthur
Author-X-Name-Last: Grimes
Author-Email: arthur.grimes@motu.org.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
Author-Name: Conal Smith
Author-X-Name-First: Conal
Author-X-Name-Last: Smith
Author-Email: conal.smith@kotatainsight.co.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: K?t?t? Insight
Author-Name: Kimberley O’Sullivan
Author-X-Name-First: Kimberley
Author-X-Name-Last: O’Sullivan
Author-Email: kimberley.osullivan@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Otago
Author-Name: Philippa Howden-Chapman
Author-X-Name-First: Philippa
Author-X-Name-Last: Howden-Chapman 
Author-Email: philippa.howden-chapman@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Otago
Author-Name: Lydia Le Gros
Author-X-Name-First: Lydia
Author-X-Name-Last: Le Gros 
Author-Email: lydia.legros@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Otago
Author-Name: Rachel Kowalchuk Dohig
Author-X-Name-First: Rachel
Author-X-Name-Last: Kowalchuk Dohig
Author-Email: rachel.dohig@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Otago
Title: Micro-geography and public housing tenant wellbeing
Abstract:  The micro-geography of people’s wellbeing depends on house and neighbourhood characteristics. We show that the form of tenancy is also important. Identical people in identical settings may have different wellbeing outcomes depending on their security of housing tenure. Our findings utilise a survey administered to residents in public rental housing, private rentals and owner-occupiers in New Zealand, focusing on the capital city, Wellington. Despite selection effects which are likely to bias findings against higher wellbeing for public housing tenants, we find that public tenants have higher subjective wellbeing (WHO-5 and Life satisfaction) than do private tenants, and similar wellbeing to owner-occupiers. Length of tenure helps to explain wellbeing differences between public and private tenants, likely reflecting New Zealand law under which private renters have insecure tenure (relative to many overseas jurisdictions). We find also that wellbeing is associated with residents’ perceptions of house suitability and neighbourhood suitability. House suitability reflects house quality, condition, cold and dampness. Neighbourhood suitability reflects the importance of social capital and of living in a safe area. Some characteristics are more important for certain population groups than for others; hence analysts should be wary of generalising about relationships between microgeographic factors and wellbeing.
Length: 64 pages
Creation-Date:  2023-09
File-URL: https://motu-www.motu.org.nz/wpapers/23_08.pdf
Number: 23_08
Classification-JEL: I31, I38, R23, R28, R38
Keywords: Public housing, tenant wellbeing, house quality, neighbourhood characteristics
Handle: RePEc:mtu:wpaper:23_08