Women housing right, affordable housing for female-headed households, case study

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to address housing right for female-headed households in Iran housing plans. Design/methodology/approach This research was conducted on female-headed households by a demographic attribute’s analysis. This paper tries to address housing right for female-headed households in housing plans. The analysis is done in the following three steps: (1) demographic variables analysis of female-headed households. Demographic variables include economic, social and health attributes. The statistical information related to the female-headed households in Tehran used in this step is based on the statistics of the Statistical Center of Iran; (2) share of female-headed households in Tehran in proportion to the total households. Also, the activity of female-headed households in Tehran; and (3) share of housing right for female-headed households in Iran Housing Plans. In this step, a questionnaire has been developed for 30 experts in which housing right for female-headed households have been asked for Iran housing plans. Findings The results show that with the increase in female-headed households in Tehran, they spend about 49 per cent of their income on housing, which influences the quality and quantity of other essential requirements of them such as food, clothing, health and education. The lack of adequate housing and increased housing rentals have forced them to live in informal settlements and low-quality homes. Based on Women Housing Right, adequate and affordable housing for them has not been considered in Iran’s housing plans. Social implications In spite of the emphasis on strengthening the position of female-headed households in the fourth, fifth and sixth development plans of Iran, this has not practically happened. The unfavorable status of female-headed households in the housing system is not due to their lack of problem-solving susceptibility, but their systematic exclusion in housing policy and practice in Tehran. Originality/value This paper has not been published in any journal.