Housing delivery to the low income in Botswana

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the housing delivery to the low income through the Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) in Gaborone, Botswana. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through the use of questionnaire, interviews, records searches and observations using the mixed-method approach to establish why people sale houses. Proportionate and simple random sampling was used to obtain a sample size of 93 plots for both new SHHA areas and old SHHA areas at 90 per cent confidence level. For each plot, data pertaining to plot allocation, plot ownership, exchange of ownership over the years were collected. Findings The findings revealed that the programme has been hit by challenges emanating from the low-income group selling their houses to middle-income group which is predominant in the area thus leading to gentrification. It was also established that the number of sales in SHHA areas were increasing as evidenced from the transfers that were taking place. This could be influenced by the increasing demand for housing due to a growing population in Gaborone. The findings also revealed that demand is one of the determinants of rising prices, thus an incentive to the low-income group to sell their houses at higher prices. Research limitations/implications The implication of these findings is that the low income will be displaced and might become homeless in future thus creating an opportunity for illegal settlements to develop. Originality/value The study has provided a context in which housing delivery to the low-income group can be safe guarded.

Housing Policy: An Analysis of Public Housing Policy Strategies for Low-Income Earners in Nigeria

“…Since then, housing programmes and schemes have been regularly addressed in the national housing policies, with newer housing schemes initiated and more housing funds allocated for the development of housing. Different housing policies have been implemented in some countries in the Global South, including Nigeria, that are aimed at reducing housing shortages among low-income earners [18,19,40]. For example, the Nigerian government has adopted and implemented various housing policies and programmes in support of affordable housing that have focused on producing houses for low-and middle-income earners since the country gained independence, between 1960-1990, and from 1991 to the present day [27,32,55].…”

The paradox of informality and sustainable human settlement in Botswana

“…, 2016). This reflects challenges faced by the government when trying to recover the development costs from the current beneficiaries (Kampamba et al. , 2018; Mosha, 1996, 2010).…”

“…The author went on to state that most of the poor are backyard tenants in these illegally developed houses due to the exorbitant cost of formal rental accommodation within the city centre. The existence of these informal settlements is attributed to operational challenges which include restrictive planning and building standards, unavailability of serviced land, unaffordability, displacement of beneficiaries by middle and low-income groups, and poor-quality housing structures (Mosha, 1996(Mosha, , 2010Kampamba et al, 2018).…”

“…However, the issue of sustainability and informality in Botswana remains under-researched. As much as there are existing studies on urban housing like Ikgopoleng and Cavri c (2007), Mosha (2010), Molebatsi (2013), Ministry of Lands and Housing (2014), Kampamba et al (2016), Mosha (2010Mosha ( , 2013, Isaacs and Manatsha (2016), Kampamba et al (2018), they do not relate the two concepts of sustainability and informality in urban settlements. Their focus was mainly on the success of existing government housing initiatives.…”

Urban Greening for New Capital Cities. A Meta Review

“…The direct consequence of this is a serious housing problem, which do not relate to land scarcity, but to property and income scarcity. Kampamba et al (2018) describe the process of gentrification in Gaborone due to growing demand for middle-income housing leading to increasing eviction of lower-income residents. Seitzhanova and Nagy (2018) argue that some form of gentrification was in fact a necessary requirement for the new capital city Astana to grow and attract tourist for both the city itself as well as the surrounding region.…”