The Housing Affordability Index: A Case of Economic Malpractice


 

Publication Date: December 2002

Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research

Author(s): Dean Baker

Research Area: Social conditions

Keywords: Home equity; Stock market; Retirement

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This paper examines how economists use the Housing Affordability Index. It points out that using the index to determine whether homes are reasonably priced is dangerous, because it fails to take into account the effect of inflation.