He wanted to "examine sustainability on a more holistic level, that would not just look at green buildings, but in our interest in affordability, in the economic and social components of sustainability as well".
With the Federal Reserve slowly increasing interest rates, affordability for homes will decrease and those in the market looking to buy a home will slowly decrease.
Its tech tracks changes in the mortgage market, such as eligibility criteria, interest rates, affordability and product features, to be able to identify emerging patterns and how they can help or hinder potential applicants.
Estate agents have been reporting that the London market is coming off the boil, as fears over interest rate rises, affordability constraints and an increased reluctance by buyers to pay high prices take hold.
Nonetheless, survey evidence in many countries reveals that there are often non-internet users who cite a lack of interest, rather than affordability, as the reason for not going online.
Even if the government manages to secure a Brexit transition deal, economists expect higher borrowing costs as the Bank of England raises interest rates and affordability problems will restrain future increases in prices.
But as interest rates rise, the affordability problem is set to spread up the income distribution, it added.
Price falls and lower interest rates have pushed affordability in parts of the country to their best levels in a generation.
"What we're seeing is a definite uptick in interest because, quite frankly, affordability is the most pressing agenda item," said Dr. Sam Ho, the chief medical officer for United Healths health-care plans.
The Bank of England announced last month it was setting out a number of measures to combat risks to the financial system from the buy-to-let sector, which included assessing the borrower's costs associated with letting the property and the impact of future interest rate increases in affordability assessments.
