The influences of socio-economic forces on affordability behavior towards containing the gap between supply and demand in the housing markets

Socio-economic factors depend on several aspects, such as income level, academic achievement, and job rank of the householder. These factors control housing decisions within a certain income level or social behaviour. This study discusses the impact of socio-economic factors influencing the demand for housing towards a stable, affordable housing market. The study follows a method of estimating the influences of socio-economic forces by surveying householders' opinions on their future choices in Nablus City. This estimation was used to develop a theoretical model of housing demands in sight of socio-economic forces: affordability, modernity, prestige, and social relations. The main conclusion sustains that social forces significantly affect the affordability behaviour of householders, which produces a gap between the supply and demand for affordable housing. However, considering such forces in the supply process leads to providing householders with adequate housing on the economic and social levels. Educating residents about the affordable behaviour of housing is also needed to achieve stability in the housing market.