The worldwide population has been estimated to increase from 4.2 billion in 2018 to 6.3 billion in 2050. A house is a basic need for humans to live as it serves as a shelter and a place of safety and protection for people.

The housing sector contributes significantly to the socio-economic development and the safety of communities. While providing sufficient housing is vital, it creates a significant challenge to most developed and developing countries in the urbanization process. Specifically, developing affordable housing is an area with critical issues that need to be overcome in improving the living conditions of low-income households.

The households in the range of middle-income struggle to secure the right sustainable home within their budget. But In response to the Malaysian Eleventh National Plan (2016-2020), importance is given for every citizen to have affordable housing with sustainable elements, which leads to the trend of integrating affordability housing criteria in sustainable housing development.

In Malaysia, 37,000 units of houses have been demanded by low to medium-income populations. In fact in Malaysia, the housing market prices were expanding year by year. Thus, the approach of integrating affordable and sustainable practices in housing development is inevitable and Various housing programs have been implemented by the government to provide affordable housing for both rural and urban communities.

Moreover, the house prices are still high and making it hard for them to buy a property. It poses critical barriers to the government in integrating and developing affordable sustainable housing.