Addressing the housing inequality crisis through inclusive housing policies has become a critical priority on national policy agendas across the Asia-Pacific region. Inclusive housing policies refer to approaches that ensure access to affordable, safe, and adequate housing for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status. Since the 1960s, rapid urbanisation and/or population growth in the Asia-Pacific region has significantly stimulated regional economic growth. However, it has also led to increased housing prices, deteriorating housing affordability, and poor living conditions for disadvantaged groups. For instance, in China, rural migrants in many cities are still unable to afford commercial housing and remain excluded from the public housing system, despite constant housing reforms over the last four decades (Fang et al., 2020; Huang & Ren, 2022). Japan faces challenges due to limited usable land and financial constraints, compounded by the government’s long-term priority of private development over public welfare, resulting in the inadequate provision of subsidized housing to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, the disabled, and single-parent households (Forrest & Hirayama, 2015; Hirayama, 2010). In South Korea, Singapore and some other countries, although comprehensive social housing systems exist that largely focus on low-income households, these households still suffer from housing instability and poor housing quality (Seo & Joo, 2018; Teo & Chiu, 2016). Moreover, public housing policies may increasingly prioritise skilled young migrants over the poorest segments of society. Additionally, in many cities, international students as a non-citizen cohort face a greater degree of housing precarity (Zhu et al., 2024). Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated housing inequality across the region (Lee & Han, 2024). Faced with multifaceted housing inequality challenges stemming from their specific contexts, national and local governments in Asia-Pacific countries have incessantly refined their housing policy frameworks towards more inclusive models and increased funding for inclusive housing projects. By examining these diverse cases, we can better understand the complex nature of housing inclusivity and develop more effective, context-sensitive policies that address the needs of diverse populations not only in the rapidly changing Asia-Pacific region but also globally.

Given these challenges and policy shifts, several critical questions emerge: how can we understand the dynamics and consequences of inclusive housing policies in Asia-Pacific countries? How do empirical studies in the region contribute to housing theories within various institutional contexts? How can we interpret the implementation and assess the performance of inclusive housing programs in Asia-Pacific cities? Furthermore, with the increasing availability of micro-level individual data and spatial data, how do inclusive housing policies affect residents' well-being and daily-life experiences?

In response to these compelling inquiries, the International Journal of Housing Policy is organising a special issue that will compile empirical and theoretical studies on the development, implementation, and evaluation of inclusive housing policies in Asia-Pacific countries. We aim to enrich the body of scholarly knowledge in housing studies with cases from the Asia-Pacific region and engage in intellectual dialogues within a global context in the future. 

We invite papers that explore a variety of topics related with inclusive housing policies and housing systems in Asia-Pacific countries, aiming to offer scholarly and practical insights to international audience. Papers focusing on specific cities or countries, drawing comparisons between them, and employing quantitative or qualitative methods are all equally welcomed. Papers that transcend disciplinary boundaries and extend the frontiers of housing research will be particularly valued.