scholarly journals High rises and low-quality shelter: rental housing dynamics in Mathare Valley, Nairobi

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-502
Author(s):  
Baraka Mwau ◽  
Alice Sverdlik
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
Housing Markets ◽  
Single Room ◽  
Rental Markets ◽  
Central Pillar ◽  
Shelter Delivery

Informal rental housing remains a hidden – yet central – pillar of low-cost shelter markets across the global South. The large informal settlement of Mathare Valley illustrates Nairobi’s rapidly changing informal rental housing markets, with the ongoing rise of tenements alongside metal shacks. Informal single-room rental units (shacks and tenements) already house most Nairobi residents in low-quality but highly profitable shelter. This case study describes how multiple exclusions can shape access to rental housing and examines the politics of shelter delivery. We underscore the importance of private rental markets and offer recommendations for inclusive, multi-pronged interventions combining support for rental housing, land governance and infrastructure delivery. Through a better understanding of the myriad actors and dynamics of informal rental housing, it may be possible to develop strategies that serve low-income tenants for whom renting is often the only viable option.

Informal Settlement Upgrading and the Rise of Rental Housing in São Paulo, Brazil

2022 ◽  
pp. 0739456X2110654
Author(s):  
Kristine Stiphany ◽  
Peter M. Ward ◽  
Leticia Palazzi Perez
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Methodological Study ◽  
Urban Informality ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public Investments

Rental housing was historically a minimal feature of urban informality. Now it is surging amid municipal attempts to “upgrade” informal settlements in São Paulo, Brazil. Drawing upon a mixed-methodological study of two favelas on São Paulo’s east side, we analyze how cycles of upgrading shape informal rental housing at the urban, community, block, and parcel levels, providing detailed comparative data for 2010–2020. Our findings suggest that rental housing redevelopment can increase precarity in urban living, but is an important source of low-income housing in already built-up and “consolidated” settlements where access is declining. Our study emphasizes the need for scholars, policy makers, and planners to further explore the praxis of informal renting and rental housing, which can be effective conduits for channeling public investments across consolidated informal settlements and into individual dwellings.

scholarly journals Extremely low-income households, housing affordability and the Great Recession

Urban Studies ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1615-1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C Lens
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Great Recession ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Median Income ◽  
Section 8 ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Housing Subsidies

The effects of the Great Recession on housing equity and homeownership have been well-documented. However, we know little about how rental households fared and the efficacy of housing subsidies in addressing affordability gaps. This paper examines the extent to which rental housing became less affordable for Extremely Low-Income (ELI) households – those earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). I then run regression models to determine the local characteristics most strongly associated with larger affordability gaps, with a focus on whether housing subsidies are effective at combating such gaps. Rental affordability gaps became more pronounced during the Great Recession. In nearly 70% of the counties in my sample, there was an increase from 2007 to 2010 in the number of ELI households per affordable rental unit. Across the country, the increase was 17%, a dramatic increase in only three years. There is considerable variation across the country, with acute affordability crises often concentrated in the South, particularly Florida. Regression models provide compelling evidence that housing vouchers, public housing, and project-based Section 8 subsidies play an important role in limiting the extent to which large numbers of ELI households are competing for a shortage of low-cost rental units. However, these programmes do not respond quickly to local needs – such as those brought about by the Great Recession. A pilot study where local housing authorities had funding to be more agile and responsive would be an important step toward crafting better policy.

Housing Choice as a Function of Risks Confronting Low-income Households

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-118
Author(s):  
Anand Sahasranaman ◽  
Vishnu Prasad ◽  
Aditi Balachander
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Jel Codes ◽  
Rental Markets ◽  
Health And Mortality ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Low Income Households

The design of housing solutions for low-income populations has been one of the most pressing policy concerns in developing countries like India. In this work, we explore the effect of risks confronting low-income households—unemployment, health and mortality—on their choice of housing arrangements. We use simulations to study the evolution of long-term wealth of a stylised low-income household faced with these risks and find that, on average, rental housing significantly reduces the risk of undesirable wealth fluctuations over time. From a policy perspective, this means greater focus and incentives for the development of low-income rental markets using strategies such as provision of rental vouchers, rent-to-own models or long-term leases, in addition to the traditional ownership-based housing strategies. The development of housing solutions encompassing a range of rental and ownership models will be critical to ensuring the availability of safe and affordable housing for all urban residents. JEL Codes: C63, O18

Brigdeheader Space for Dwell in Jakarta

2015 ◽  
Vol 747 ◽  
pp. 136-140
Author(s):  
Deni ◽  
Salwin
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Practical Observation ◽  
Low Cost Housing ◽  
The Government ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The City ◽  
Collection Methods

Bridgeheader is one of the typology of low-income people in the city who assume that the house is only ‘a springboard’ for their life in the city. This group of people dwelt not far from the location of their place to work; occupying marginal spaces in the city and its environment tend to be slump. Almost all areas in the city of Jakarta have marginal spaces, therefore the government attempt to improve the quality of their houses, for example by providing low-cost housing. In fact the low-cost house which was provided by the government failed to be ‘consumed’ by the brigdeheaders at the time when the used value of the house has been turned into market value. The research aimed to determine such approaches of use value of the house that can be ‘consumed’ by the brigdeheader, but did not undermine the space in the city. Data collection methods using practical observation conducted with interviews. While the analysis using descriptive pragmatic method in four case study area in Jakarta. The findings indicate that the concept of house for this group is not determined only by the ‘low price tag’ but also ‘the way of use’ of the space contributed with the result that the house can be ‘consumed’ well.

Serving the low-income consumer in a rich economy: Dollar General racks up sales

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glyn Atwal ◽  
Douglas Bryson
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The conceptualization of the Base of Pyramid (BOP) proposes that low-income markets can lead to profitable opportunities for businesses. The purpose of this study is to identify key success factors of a BOP business strategy based on a case study of the discount retailer, Dollar General, in the USA. Design/methodology/approach The research design used in this research is an in-depth case study of Dollar General in the USA. Qualitative methods are applied in both the primary and secondary data collection and during the follow-on data analysis of Dollar General. Findings Dollar General’s strategic profile is achieved through the combination of the following four actions which are tailored to compete effectively at the BOP in the USA: creating the neighborhood discounter, raising aspirational appeal, reducing service and eliminating internationalization. Research limitations/implications The case is specific to Dollar General in a US cultural context. Practical implications The case of Dollar General demonstrates how a discounter retailer should not only follow a low-cost strategy to compete at the BOP. Its ability to craft a distinctive strategy is coherent with meeting the logistical, rational and emotional needs of the low-income consumer in the USA. Social implications Many businesses have neglected rural areas of the USA as being unprofitable. The ability for businesses such as Dollar General to serve the BOP segment can foster the socio-economic well-being of communities. Originality/value The overwhelming body of the BOP literature is based on emerging markets. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the few studies to investigate BOP business strategy in the USA.

Case study: Reducing preventable maternal mortality in Rwandan healthcare facilities through improvements in WASH protocols

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Guzman
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Water Access ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Hygiene Practices

Problem A lack of proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure and poor hygiene practices reduce the preparedness and response of health care facilities (HCFs) in low-income countries to infection and disease outbreaks. According to a World Bank Service Provision Assessment conducted in 2007, only 28% of HCFs in Rwanda had water access throughout the year supplied by tap and 58% of HCFs provided functioning latrines. 1 This evaluation of services and infrastructure in HCFs in Rwanda indicates that targets for WASH in-country need to be enhanced. Objectives To present a case study of the causes and management of sepsis during delivery that led to the death of a 27-year-old woman, and propose a WASH protocol to be implemented in HCFs in Rwanda. Methods The state of WASH services used by staff, caregivers, and patients in HCFs was assessed in 2009 in national evaluations conducted by the Ministry of Infrastructure of Rwanda. Site selection was purposive, based on the presence of both water and power supply. Direct observation was used to assess water treatment, presence and condition of sanitation facilities and sterile equipment in the delivery room, provision of soap and water, gloves, alcohol-based hand rub, and WASH-related record keeping. Results All healthcare facilities met Ministry policies for water access, but WHO guidelines for environmental standards, including for water quality, were not fully satisfied. Conclusions The promotion and provision of low-cost technologies that enable improved WASH practices could help to reduce high rates of morbidity and mortality due to infection in low-income countries.

scholarly journals Process + Product: The condition of low-cost housing in Bangkok, Thailand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Samuel Peter Brown
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Social Fabric ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Collective Construction ◽  
Low Income Housing

<p>The low-income housing situation in Bangkok, Thailand, is similar to that faced in many developing cities throughout the world. The housing opportunities afforded to residents classed as low-income dwellers, are minimal, unsuitable and inconsiderate of their complex social, cultural and spiritual requirements, often leading to the formation of slums, and squatter settlements. The close proximity of living experienced in informal settlements results in a community-focused style of living, where neighbours rely on each other to survive. This is translated not only into the social fabric of the informal settlement, but also into the architectural style of these vernacular communities. The process of helping construct your neighbour's home, builds social and cultural ties; these traits are often lost when outside parties attempt to ‘improve’ the low-income living situation. The idea of housing design as a process not just a product, also referred to as ‘cooked’ architecture, is widely promoted through the writings, research and design methodologies focused towards low-income housing endeavors (Rapoport, 1988; Sinha, 2012; Yap, 1990). Despite this, effective involvement of residents in developing and building their own homes is something rarely practiced or achieved within architecture, yet the benefits of including residents, who are the focus of a complex social and architectural situation, in the design process seems clear. There is little question that communities that work through this process become stronger, both socially and economically, however, the quality of housing and architectural output is still at a very low level, despite obvious improvements from the previous low-cost conditions. To address this, an architectural outcome has been developed utilizing a critical design approach. The implementation of ethnographic and participatory design research, as well as multiple design iterations, based on current and traditional modes, has resulted in an architecture that is culturally responsive, impacts the existing context lightly, and primarily provides a positive social scenario to encourage community betterment through collective construction and living.</p>

scholarly journals MASALAH KESEJAHTERAAN SOSIAL MIGRAN

Sosio Informa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Karinina
Keyword(s):  
Social Welfare ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Social Safety Net ◽  
The Social ◽  
Rice Price ◽  
Children Education

This paper concerned with the condition of the social welfare problems of the low incomemigrants living in Prawirodirjan Yogyakarta. The case study of that migrants showed that theirmain social welfare problems related to low income for supporting their family , such as children education fee, and inappropriate house to stay. Although they tried to cope with those problems, but most of them had no successful yet. Social services both from local and national government had not been specially programmed for them. Nevertheless, some of them gained several services which were integrated in public social welfare programmes through "social safety net programmes" in the form of health services, school fee , low cost rice price, etc.Key Words: empowering, social welfare, migrant.

Challenging the Discourse around the Impacts of Airbnb through Suburbs Not Cities: Lessons from Australia and COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
Caitlin Buckle ◽  
◽  
Peter Phibbs ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Housing Market ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Housing Markets ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Short Term ◽  
City Governments ◽  
Rental Markets ◽  
The Impact

Supporters of short-term rental (STR) platforms state that STRs represent a small fraction of the housing market of major cities and therefore have little impact on rents. However, there is emerging evidence that suggests that STRs have highly localised impacts. In this article, we use the natural experiment of the pause in tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight the impact of a decrease in STR listings on rental markets in the case study city of Hobart, Australia. We find that rental affordability has improved in Hobart’s STR-dense suburbs with the increased vacancies from the underutilised STR properties. These results provide evidence of the impact of STRs on local housing markets when analysed on a finer scale than the whole-of-city approach. The focus on local housing markets helps local communities and city governments build an argument for the impact of STRs on tight housing markets.

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