ABSTRACT
Whilst shelter is one of man’s most fundamental needs, it is only in the most extreme situation that he will be content with its provision at the most basic, life-sustaining level. In addition to seeking a roof over his head, he may aspire to a dwelling which satisfies his desire for comfort and privacy, is aesthetically pleasing to him, has a convenient or environmentally attractive location, and so on. However, these demands will be effective only to the extent to which he able and willing to commit resources, and herein lies a fundamental difference between the concepts of housing need and housing demand. ‘Need’ is a minimum level of provision which, according to common agreement, everyone has a right to expect. Its definition may not be explicit, and may vary from community to community and change over time, but it is a standard which is independent of the individual’s means. ‘Demand’, on the other hand, is the expression of constrained
choice, and can only be defined empirically, in terms of the balance between the means and desires of households.
