The effect of widowhood on housing and location choices |
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| Authors: | Carole Bonnet Laurent Gobillon Anne Laferrère |
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| Affiliation: | 1. INED, 133 Boulevard Davout, 75980 Paris Cedex 20, France;2. INED, PSE and CREST, France;3. INSEE and CREST, 18 Boulevard Adolphe Pinard, 75675 Paris Cedex 14, France;1. Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;2. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;3. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;1. Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing;2. Department of Sociology and Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin;3. Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin |
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| Abstract: | The number of elderly persons living alone is increasing and their influence on the housing market is getting larger. This paper investigates the effect of the loss of a spouse on housing and location choices. A partner’s death induces a decrease in income which may lead to downsizing. Widowhood may also reveal new preferences, such as the need to be close to care givers and health services. We estimate the effect of a transition to widowhood on housing consumption and location choices using the French Housing Surveys. Widowhood significantly increases residential mobility, especially at older ages and for those who have children. Mobile widows tend to live closer to their relatives but do not move to co-reside with a child. Housing and location adjustments are consistent with new widows moving to dwellings that are smaller, more often apartments and in the rental sector, and on average located in larger municipalities where services are more accessible. The housing demand of widows will be significant in the next 20 years, especially the demand for small dwellings. |
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