In Thailand, the private market is actively involved in the provision of rental housing, especially for students and low-income populations. The government also established three housing institutions related to rental housing development, finance, and the upgrading of informal settlements, including the Government Housing Bank (GH Bank), the National Housing Authority (NHA), and the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI). While much is being done in the rental sector by these groups, there still needs to be a formally adopted national housing policy that includes rental and non-ownership models.
With a large proportion of residents living in self-built housing or informal settlements, there is clearly a need for more affordable housing. The rental sector is multifaceted in Thailand, and works efficiently in for upper- and middle-income groups – but there is a need at the lower end of the market, and though there have been initiatives to provide housing for low-income populations, there has not yet been enough resources dedicated to this issue.
Source:
Peppercorn, I. G. & Taffin, C. (2013) Rental Housing : Lessons from International Experience and Policies for Emerging Markets. Washington, DC: World Bank.