The purpose of a Housing Observatory is to provide a complete, reliable and objective description of the housing sector in a country from the demand and supply of housing, to the quality and use of the existing housing stock and including assessment of the production capacity in terms of land, building materials, capital and labour – and to identify trends or emerging issues which may require action. A Housing Observatory informs stakeholders, consumers and the housing industry to guide their purchase, investment or financing decisions and provides policy makers with an understanding of factors that should guide their policy directions and program designs.