This report recommends a research programme addressing the relationship between financial circumstances and tenure choices for those New Zealanders in the 18-40 year old cohort. In developing a housing research agenda it is important to note that the context facing the current 18-40 year old group is very different to the context within which tenure choices were exercised by the same age group in previous decades.
Methodology
Decisions on housing tenure reflect a complex and inter-related set of factors. The range of variables influencing tenure choice is broad and includes household status and financial circumstances, as well as preferences. Isolating and accurately assessing the impact of particular variables requires an economic modelling approach that is outside the scope of this report. In this report the approach used is to map out, and briefly comment, on the key variables that impact on tenure choice at pivotal points with a view to exploring their significance from a housing policy perspective.
This report does not purport to provide a general model of the NZ housing market but aims to identify research topics that would be of particular valuable in terms of their:
• contribution to improving understanding of tenure transition and choices
• relevance to (potential) policy implications or interventions
Information on tenure choice has been gathered through a review of relevant written material as well as through interviews and consultation with individuals involved in housing research and policy development. This information has been used to inform and guide the findings in this report.
As was envisaged the original work plan for this project a range of New Zealand and international material relating to tenure choice has been explored through the course of this study. However, the scope of the literature review has necessarily been targeted and selective, rather than comprehensive. No short report can comprehensively cover all aspects of the material on tenure in a subject as diverse as housing. Material that is considered to be of particular value (whether in terms of its relevance to the New Zealand context and/or to central policy issues) is set out as a bibliography to this report.