Socio-Economic Determinants of Housing Tenure: An Analysis of Mumbai Suburbs.

Abstract: This study investigates the socio-economic determinants of housing tenure among residents in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) & Kalyan-Dombivli-Badlapur-Ambernath belt (Affordable Segment), in enabling home ownership, focusing on the relationship between educational attainment, occupational stability, and residential longevity. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from a sample of 52 respondents. The findings reveal a predominant trend toward homeownership, with 90.4% of participants owning their residences & about 59.6% of whom possess debt-free ownership. A significant majority of the cohort (80.8%) reported living in the region for over 10 years, suggesting that long-term residency is a primary factor in achieving financial freedom from housing loans. Furthermore, 63.5% of respondents reside in the extended suburbs, such as the Kalyan-Dombivli-Badlapur-Ambernath belt, indicating that suburban affordability plays a crucial role in enabling homeownership. The demographic is characterised by high educational levels, with 88.4% holding a graduation or post-graduation degree, and a stable professional background, as 65.4% are employed in salaried service. These results suggest that the combination of high academic qualifications, steady employment, and extended residential tenure facilitates a transition from rental or mortgage-based housing to outright ownership in the suburban Mumbai landscape. Keywords: Housing Tenure, Homeownership, MMR, Socio-Economic Factors, Affordability.