HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, HOUSEHOLD DEBT, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN URBAN KERALA

Abstract

Housing affordability and household indebtedness have emerged as important determinants of household welfare and quality of life in urban Kerala. Rising property prices, increasing rental expenditure, dependence on housing loans, and growing financial commitments create economic pressures for urban households. This study examines the relationship between housing affordability, household debt, and quality of life, focusing on housing expenditure, household income, borrowing patterns, debt repayment burdens, and access to essential amenities. It also investigates how socioeconomic characteristics, employment stability, family size, and housing tenure influence housing-related financial vulnerability. The study adopts a quantitative research design based on a structured household survey, supplemented by secondary data from official publications and housing-related reports. Descriptive statistics, housing-cost burden measures, debt-to-income ratios, correlation analysis, and multivariate regression are proposed to examine the relationships among the major variables. The study seeks to determine whether higher housing expenditure and debt repayment obligations are associated with reduced financial security, constrained consumption, lower savings, and poorer self-reported quality of life. The findings are intended to inform affordable housing policies, responsible housing finance, household debt management, and improved access to essential urban services in Kerala. The study contributes to the understanding of housing affordability as both a housing-market concern and a broader socioeconomic welfare issue.

Keywords

housing affordability, household debt, welfare and urban kerala.

References

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To cite this article

Beena Mol, N., R. (2026). Housing Affordability, Household Debt, and Quality of Life in Urban Kerala. John Foundation Journal of EduSpark, 8(3), 56-77.