Global Evidence of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Affordable Housing and Housing Supply: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected various aspects of life and the majority of industries all over the world. While extant studies have reported the impact of the pandemic in various sectors and industries, the impact of the pandemic on global affordable housing and housing supply has not received sufficient attention. Therefore, this study provides a global comparative evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the twin issues of affordable housing and housing supply. Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate and Primo Search were used in conducting database searches for previous studies published within the period of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023). The framework of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) was adopted in the systematic selection of 37 extant studies. Bibliometric, content and thematic analyses were conducted for the qualitative data analyses. Findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted various issues, viz: housing prices, demand and supply, socioeconomic gaps, housing construction activities, informal sector housing conditions, government housing policies, mortgage repayment defaults, multidimensional matters, increased digital nomads, and elderly housing supply. This study is unique in providing a systematic appraisal of extant studies to report the global implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on affordable housing and housing supply. Findings of the study are based on a systematic review of the literature. Indeed, the study offers a global perspective on the impact of the pandemic on the blighted affordable housing situation of different countries. Pertinent gaps in the existing literature and areas for further research were identified, alongside the recommendation of policy pathways for the future.