Most people own their homes in Finland and other OECD countries. Housing is also the most important asset that households own. Despite its prevalence and massive tax advantages and other subsidies to homebuyers, the broader consequences of homeownership for the society are poorly understood. This project analyzes previously overlooked impacts of homeownership. Theme A studies housing wealth and homeownership within the family, both inside the household and across generations. Theme B studies how homeownership affects households' financial and other economic decisions. Theme C studies the effects of homeownership on voting and the political decisions that homeowners make when elected to office. To study these themes, the consortium of Aalto University and VATT Institute for Economic Research will build a unique linked apartment-owner-resident data and use cutting-edge microeconometric tools and quantitative models to achieve high scientific and societal impact.

2025

2029