Measuring Housing Inequality with the Value of Freedom in the Capability Approach: Proposal and Demonstration

ABSTRACT

An ongoing question in capability research is how to incorporate the value of freedom into the measurement of inequality. This article proposes an approach to answering this question in the housing domain and its operationalisation. The approach places an evaluation focus to the conditions constraining or expanding housing choices in the dimensions of opportunity, security, and ability. For operationalisation, the study designed a measurement of multidimensional housing disadvantages (MHDs) using the Alkire-Foster method and data from the Netherlands. Indicators include the entitlement to housing tenure options, vulnerability in housing cost payments, and ability to plan finance for housing. The measurement outcome demonstrates that the MHDs measurement can provide information on whose housing choices are more intensely constrained, thus having a lower capability for housing, and whose current housing situation is likely a result of coerced choices. The findings indicate that adults living with housemates or family (latent households), youths, and those with precarious jobs have a significantly lower capability for housing compared to other population groups. This article also compares the freedom-oriented measure of MHDs with functioning-oriented and other conventional measures and discusses its distinguishing properties. This comparison suggests a need to revisit current policy priorities in addressing housing inequality.

KEYWORDS:

• Capability approach
• freedom
• inequality‌
• multidimensional measurement
• housing
• capability for housing

Acknowledgements

I thank Marietta Haffner and Kees Dol for providing information on the housing system in the Netherlands. I also thank Marja Elsinga for her generous support in accessing data.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported in part by the Open Data Infrastructure for Social Science and Economic Innovations (https://ror.org/03m8v6t10) under the Microdata Access Discount.

Notes on contributors

Boram Kimhur

Boram Kimhur, also known as Boram Kim, holds a PhD in housing studies from the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Delft University of Technology and an MA in International Urban Development from the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester. Before her PhD research, she worked as an architect and urban specialist on issues of urban poverty and the right to housing at NGOs, bi/multilateral agencies, including UN-Habitat, and a philanthropic foundation. Her research focuses on social justice, housing, urban inequality, and evaluation approaches.