This paper investigates the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the spread of SARS. I focus on the SARS infection rates in 295 large-scale Hong Kong housing complexes. Using pre-SARS property values as indicators of SES, I identify a negative SES-SARS link. I also find that density, proximity to the city centers and availability of communal facilities increase the spread of SARS. Building age, flat size, proximity to medical establishments, formation of residents’ association or whether the housing complex is public are not significantly associated with the SARS infection rate. The SES-SARS relationship remains robust after controlling for living conditions. I provide evidence that household income is likely to be an important component of the SES-SARS link.
Affordable Housing Architecture Asia Borrowing Constraints Canada China Colombia Commercial Brokerage covid-19 CRE Credit Risk Transfers Debt Market Demographics Development e-Commerce Equity Market Ethnic Factors Europe Foreclosures Global Global Financial Crisis hospitality Housing & Residential Housing Supply India inflation Investing land use regulation Macroeconomics Microeconomics Mixed-Use Mobility Mortgage Rates Mortgages Multi-family Non-Traditional Mortgages office sector Political Risk Real Estate Investment Trusts Recession Rental Retail South America Sub-Prime Mortgages Sustainability United States Urban Urbanization work from home