A blueprint for addressing the global affordable housing challenge

In this research the authors identified ways to narrow the affordable housing gap in the next decade. This will require clear aspirations by policy makers to improve housing affordability and the use of four levers that the authors identified to unlock land in appropriate locations, reduce construction and operations costs, and improve access to low-cost financing. Together with an integrated and city-specific delivery approach, these measures can put housing within reach of households making 50 to 80 percent of their city’s median income. The levers also can make housing more affordable and improve housing outcomes for households earning less than 50 percent of median income.