Factors influencing housing finance from a neoliberal perspective: a case of Lusaka, Zambia

Purpose – Accessing decent, affordable housing is becoming more and more difficult for all countries, but especially for those in the global south. This paper aims to identify factors influencing housing finance from a neoliberal viewpoint using Lusaka as a case study. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a quantitative methodology and recruited 214 respondents from key institutions involved in housing planning and development in Lusaka, Zambia. A structured questionnaire containing 13 indicator variables informed by literature was used for data collection. The acquired data underwent exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and goodness-of-fit was used to assess the model’s acceptability using a two-index technique. Findings – Results revealed that housing finance is defined by five variables: low-interest commercial bank loans, public–private partnerships, employer-assisted (housing allowance), community financing initiatives and pension-backed housing finance. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited to a specific geographical area (Lusaka, Zambia) and may only be generalisable to other locations with the same economic metrics. Practical implications – This paper provides a guide for improving urban housing by highlighting the areas housing finance should concentrate on. The identified variables can inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing strategies to address affordability challenges and improve access to housing. Originality/value – This research contributes to the understanding of housing finance models from a neoliberal perspective, particularly in the context of urban areas in the global south. The findings offer insights into the specific variables that define housing finance and can inform interventions to improve housing affordability and access.