Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of the Housing Problem: A Compact Analytical Framework with Reference to Saudi Arabia

The housing problem has attracted great attention since the industrial revolution to improve sustainability and well-being of our cities. The main cause of the problem is a lack of sufficient housing supply coupled with the rapid increase of the global population and the associated socio-economic challenges. However, this problem should not be merely presented as an issue of supply and demand. Instead, housing problem analysis should consider multiple interacting factors. Therefore, this study aims to summarise the causes, impacts, and solutions of the contemporary housing problem using a compact analytical framework. This framework offers a systematic thinking approach to understanding the magnitude and dimensions of the problem and offers solutions based on international recommendations. This problem is investigated using a descriptive analytical approach for the case of Saudi Arabia. The study concludes that systematic strategic thinking is vital in housing problem analysis. In this regard, it is more practical to divide the causes, impacts, and solutions of the problem into main and secondary factors. It is also essential to set a national housing target to be achieved within a given period to ensure proper availability for all people deprived of housing.