Developing a measurement model to assess perceived housing inequality: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses

Abstract

Housing inequality and resulting housing crisis are pressing global issues with significant socioeconomic implications. This study develops a robust measurement model for assessing housing inequality from residents' perspectives, filling a critical gap in the existing literature that largely overlooks subjective perceptions. By conceptualising housing inequality as a multidimensional construct encompassing affordability, sanitation, comfort, maintenance, safety and security, space, local facilities, accessibility, and social inclusivity, our model captures nuanced disparities that conventional metrics may miss. This study addresses the lack of a standardised measurement model for perceived housing inequality, which has hindered comparative research and policy development. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA), the model was validated through data from Nottingham, a city from the UK with notable socioeconomic diversity and high deprivation levels. Study findings highlight that perceived housing inequality, rooted in individual assessments of housing quality, affordability, and neighbourhood environment, is equally significant as its traditional nature, which mostly focuses on objective indicators such as income or housing availability. Theoretically, the study challenges conventional economic and spatial debates that rely solely on objective measures. It highlights the role of perception in shaping urban experiences and social cohesion, offering a holistic framework that integrates subjective dimensions of housing inequality. This study provides insights that researchers, local authorities, and policymakers can use to assess perceived housing inequality more accurately, guiding targeted interventions and promoting equitable urban development across diverse urban contexts.