Page 411 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 2

STS508 Suraya Ismail
Table 3: Median multiple affordability by state, 2002 – 2016

Even then, these calculations are based on state-wide numbers and do not
reflect the relative scarcities of housing units in different housing markets of
cities and towns. For example, a housing market in Kuala Muda would be vastly
different than Alor Star, and yet official data is collected to reflect a state level
median house price that includes both housing markets. Indeed, some of the
supply mismatches of house prices to income (and therefore reducing housing
affordability and creating a supply glut) have occurred since housing
development projects treat these markets as similar, ostensibly with the
intention of increasing the carrying capacity of impending growth of cities and
towns. Therefore, data on household income levels and house prices must be
collected at the right scale of existing housing markets. The projections of the
future growth of towns and cities could be estimated from the strategic
directions laid down in State’s Structure plan and District local plan. In lieu of
this, the spread of housing markets that goes beyond state boundaries must
be acknowledged. Take for instance the case of Negeri Sembilan; the median
multiple has remained moderately affordable during the period of 20022012

400 | I S I W S C 2 0 1 9