Bureaucratic Politics and Broader Affordability Concepts: A Case Study of Penang Hijau E-Komuniti Affordable Housing Project

Studies on affordable housing have focused on pricing affordability while broader affordability concepts remain in the background. A broader conceptualisation of housing affordability is multidimensional and is intertwined with the concept of housing sustainability. This study is an exploratory case study where it seeks to identify to what extent broader affordability (sustainability) concepts are embraced in affordable housing programmes. Data were obtained through a literature search, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. This article examines the role of bureaucracy in the process of implementing broader affordability concepts in Penang state’s largest affordable housing project, Hijau E-Komuniti, using theories of bureaucratic politics. Findings demonstrate that bureaucrats are not value-neutral as argued in the theories. Results also suggest that sustainability concepts are embraced by public officials who are responsible for the Hijau E-Komuniti project in the decision-making and implementation process.