Příčiny regionálních nerovností ve finanční dostupnosti bydlení v ČR

The aim of the article is to map the trend of one of dimensions of social inequalities in the consumption of housing - the trend of regional inequalities in housing affordability in the Czech Republic in the period 2000 - 2006. Due to the lack of relevant data file(s) on household incomes and housing expenditures, the authors developed a new method of the housing affordability indicators calculation. The method makes it possible to describe the trend of regional inequalities in housing affordability of owner-occupied housing and rental housing form 2000 to 2006 using the official regional wage statistics (RSCP - Regional Wage Statistics) as well as price and rent statistics (using the price and rent monitoring system of the Institute of Regional Information, Ltd). From 2000 to 2003 the inequalities between regions grew in significance, but since 2003 these regional inequalities in housing affordability have decreased. The second part of the paper focuses on the reasons of the specific development in regional inequalities concerning housing affordability in the Czech Republic. Using the statistical testing of hypotheses, the authors try find to what measure the trend of regional inequality in housing affordability reflected the trend of regional inequality in economic performance in general (as well as the trend of other regional specific factors affecting the demand of housing and the supply of housing). The following three hypotheses were tested: (1) regional differences in housing affordability are bigger than the regional differences in economic performance; (2) the value of housing affordability indicators depends on the values of the specific factor indicators; and (3) regional differences in housing affordability can be described by regional differences in values of the specific factors indicators.