A new study has suggested that rapid growth of the housing market can influence both outcomes and intentions of families to have more children. The research, led by University of Sydney economists and published in the Journal of Housing Economics, measured people’s intentions for more children against property prices. It found that when the property market booms, Australian renters are far less likely to want and have more children, while mortgagers are more encouraged to have children. “While there has been significant debate about appropriate policy settings in light of rapidly increasing house prices and its impact on homeownership, there has been little discussion of the implication of housing market developments on people’s decisions to have children,” lead author Associate Professor Stephen Whelan said. Researchers found that families who experience a $100,000 (US$71,000) increase in housing wealth are 18 percent more likely to have a child. In addition, married couples …