Unit 2 → Subtopic 2.10
Investigating The Global Housing Crisis
Housing is a basic human need, yet many countries face a severe housing crisis where homeownership and affordable rent are out of reach for large portions of the population. While housing markets operate under supply and demand principles, economic factors such as government policies, speculation, income inequality, and urbanization have contributed to rising home prices and widespread housing shortages. This project challenges students to compare different sources on the global housing crisis to analyze the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to this market failure.
Students will gather multiple sources, such as economic reports, government publications, academic papers, and industry articles, to examine why housing affordability has worsened in many countries. They should compare perspectives on what factors are driving the crisis, including rising land costs, real estate speculation, restrictive zoning laws, lack of public housing investment, and gentrification. Additionally, they should analyze how government intervention, subsidies, or rent controls have either helped or worsened housing accessibility.
A key focus of this research will be assessing the credibility and bias of different sources. Some sources may argue that government regulation is the solution, while others may claim that less regulation would allow housing supply to increase. Students should compare different economic viewpoints and critically evaluate whether policy recommendations are backed by data, historical evidence, or political ideology.
The final comparative analysis will assess how different sources explain the housing crisis, discussing economic reasoning, data reliability, and proposed policy solutions. The goal is for students to develop a comprehensive understanding of housing market failures and the trade-offs of government intervention in real estate markets.
Recommended Procedure:
Gather Different Sources on the Global Housing Crisis – Collect academic papers, government reports, industry analysis, and economic viewpoints on housing affordability.
Compare Causes of Housing Market Failures – Identify economic factors contributing to the crisis, including supply shortages, speculation, income inequality, and urbanization.
Analyze Policy Interventions and Their Effectiveness – Compare government approaches such as rent control, affordable housing programs, and zoning reforms to determine which solutions have been effective.
Evaluate Source Credibility and Bias – Determine whether sources take a pro-regulation or free-market stance, and assess how data is used to support their conclusions.
Write a Comparative Analysis on Housing Market Failures – Summarize findings, highlight key differences in perspectives, and discuss the economic implications of different policy approaches.
Suggested Sources:
Understanding Housing Market Failure:
Investopedia: The Economics of the Housing Crisis – https://www.investopedia.com
Khan Academy: Market Failure and Housing Affordability – https://www.khanacademy.org
2. Case Studies and Global Reports:
Harvard Business Review: The Causes of the Global Housing Crisis – https://hbr.org
World Bank: Housing Affordability and Urban Growth – https://www.worldbank.org
3. Government Policies and Housing Interventions:
OECD: The Role of Rent Control in Housing Affordability – https://www.oecd.org
IMF: Government Regulations and Housing Markets – https://www.imf.org
4. Market-Based and Alternative Solutions:
The Economist: Does Deregulation Solve Housing Shortages? – https://www.economist.com
United Nations: Affordable Housing as a Human Right – https://www.un.org
Grading Rubric:
Total Points: __ /20
