Most countries do not use one single type of housing subsidy but combine many of them. The author provides operational criteria that allow evaluation of systems of housing subsidies, both at the individual program level and at the aggregate (country) level. The author examines the public finance...

This article analyses some effects of the French upfront subsidy to homeownership called Pret a Taux Zero (PTZ) introduced in 1996. The PTZ can be viewed as a downpayment subsidy to low and middle-income first-time buyers. The effects of the subsidy are modelled by simulating the introduction of...

The authors provide an economic framework to analyze investment in informal housing in developing countries. They consider a simple model of investment in the housing market where investors can choose between two sectors-the formal sector, where physical investment faces no risk of destruction,...

In this paper we analyze a household's decision to invest in informal (illegal) housing in developing countries. Using a simple model of housing supply, we show that the difference in the rates of return on housing investment in the formal and informal sectors reflects the additional risk...

This article analyses some effects of the French upfront subsidy to homeownership called Prêt à Taux Zéro (PTZ) introduced in 1996. The PTZ can be viewed as a downpayment subsidy to low and middle-income first-time buyers. The effects of the subsidy are modelled by simulating the introduction...

This paper estimates the relationship between average rainfall and population density in Sub-Saharan Africa in order to assess the consequences of climate and demographic changes in terms of future water stress in that region. Geographic Information System (GIS) data on density and rainfall and...

Drawing on five cross-sections of the French Housing Survey, this paper examines theeffects on co-residence with their parents of the extension of housing allowances tostudents that took place between 1991 and 1993. Two effects are found. First housingallowances provide an increased opportunity...

Social public housing offer rents that are more than 60 % undervalued. The total `loss' of public sector landlords amounts to 37 billions Francs per year. The `rebate' allows social sector tenants to consume 10 % more housing services and 11 % more of other goods. The surplus gain of living in...