Assessing the applicability of self help housing in provision of affordable housing in Uganda: a case study of Masese Women's Housing Project

Abstract

In the current exponentially growing numbers of slum dwellers in a country with high unemployment rate, the income levels of such dwellers do not seem to be expected to grow anytime soon. This calls for tailored measures and solutions to cater for the housing needs for these individuals as their income levels cannot accept them to be subscribers to the current low-cost solutions in the country as these address the needs for middle income earners not the poor. Sustainability of such solutions in another key factor that has not gained traction in the country and this needs to change if long term solutions are to be put in place. This research studies self-help housing as used at Masese Women’ Housing Project, its benefits, comparisons to the conventional development process and what strategies could be adopted in the light of what occurred at Masese. The urban poor or poor in the context of this research refer to low-income earners who cannot afford decent housing. This research begins with chapter one which provides an introduction and background of housing, problem statement, the objectives, significance and scope of the study. Chapter two presents detailed literature review with references to the government attempts to provide housing, the constraints and examples of where self-help housing has been implemented. Chapter three discusses the methodology used in carrying out the research. The findings, presentation and data analysis are articulated in chapter four and finally, chapter five covers the conclusions and possible solutions in form of recommendations and strategies that may support future initiatives for stakeholders and the government of Uganda at large in the provision of housing for the needs of the poor. The findings in this research show that the self-help housing has provided solutions for the poor in Masese Jinja although these solutions weren’t addressing the future needs hence sustainability wasn’t fully addressed. This therefore creates the need to provide tailored solutions for housing that incorporate sustainability