Housing affordability is one of the most frequently tested topics in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in approximately 15% of recent exam questions. This topic’s relevance continues to grow as how to address the global housing crisis becomes increasingly important worldwide.
Nội dung bài viết
Task Analysis
Some people believe that governments should focus on providing affordable housing for all citizens rather than allowing private developers to build luxury housing. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question requires examining the role of government intervention in housing development and evaluating the balance between social housing needs and market-driven development.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
The debate over whether governments should prioritize affordable housing over luxury development is complex and multifaceted. While I partially agree that ensuring housing accessibility should be a key government priority, I believe a balanced approach incorporating both public and private sector development is optimal.
Government intervention in housing markets is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, the basic need for shelter is fundamental to human dignity and social stability. When how to address the housing crisis in urban areas is left purely to market forces, vulnerable populations often face exclusion from decent housing options. Moreover, public investment in affordable housing can stimulate economic growth through increased construction activity and improved worker mobility.
However, completely restricting luxury housing development would be counterproductive. Private developers contribute significantly to housing stock expansion and generate substantial tax revenue that can fund social programs. Additionally, should the government impose restrictions on luxury housing developments too severely, it could lead to reduced construction activity and job losses in the real estate sector.
The most effective approach would be implementing a hybrid system. Governments should establish minimum requirements for affordable housing in new developments while allowing developers to build premium properties. This could include mandatory inclusion of social housing units in luxury developments or implementing progressive taxation on high-end real estate to fund affordable housing initiatives.
In conclusion, while ensuring housing affordability should be a governmental priority, achieving this goal requires cooperation between public and private sectors rather than exclusive focus on either approach.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
Housing is a big problem in many countries today. I agree that governments should help people get affordable homes, but they should not stop luxury housing completely.
The main reason why governments should focus on affordable housing is because many people cannot buy homes. When how government-backed loans support housing programs are implemented, more families can have proper shelter. Also, cheaper houses help poor people live better lives.
However, luxury housing also has some benefits. Rich people want nice houses and will pay more taxes. This money can help the government build more cheap houses. Also, when builders make expensive houses, they give jobs to many workers.
I think the government should make rules for both types of housing. They can ask builders to make some cheap houses when they build expensive ones. This way, everyone gets what they need.
Key Vocabulary
- Affordable housing (n) /əˈfɔːrdəbl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ – housing that is reasonably priced for people with average incomes
- Multifaceted (adj) /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- Vulnerable (adj) /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ – capable of being hurt
- Counterproductive (adj) /ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/ – having the opposite effect to what is intended
High-Scoring Sentence Patterns
- Complex sentence with concession: “While ensuring housing affordability should be a governmental priority, achieving this goal requires cooperation between public and private sectors.”
- Conditional structure: “If governments focus exclusively on affordable housing, they might inadvertently reduce overall housing supply.”
- Cause-effect relationship: “When housing markets are left purely to market forces, vulnerable populations often face exclusion from decent housing options.”
To practice your writing skills, try composing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. Focus on incorporating the vocabulary and sentence patterns provided above.