Evaluating the self-help housing programme in Namibia: the case of Build Together Programme in Okahao Town
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Date
2021-11
Authors
Kakwambi J, ulia Nakashwa Ndapewa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Aided Self-help housing is a housing process whereby the government, together with the community, incrementally improves housing. Self-help housing schemes or programmes obtain recognition as an affordable method of improving housing conditions for poor or low-income groups residing in informal settlements. This study was undertaken in Namibia, using the government’s Build Together Programme self-help housing programme as case study. The study aimed to evaluate the concept of self-help housing programmes on the livelihoods of BTP beneficiaries in Okahao Town in Namibia. The self-help housing scheme comes with housing constructions and often with site and services and secure land tenure. The study review international literature related to self-help housing schemes. One international self-help advocate is John F.C. Turner, whose theory regarded self-help housing as a concept that emphasises sweat equity, is strengthened by active community participation in the programme. Turner is a pioneer in self-help housing research that addressed the improvement of shelter for the poor. The self-help housing scheme was not only advocated by Turner, but also by international organisations. The World Bank came in to support the scheme with site and services programme. The United Nations-Habitat also advocates for self-help housing as an approach that efficient in addressing housing affordability. The UN-Habitat advocates site and services plus the upgrading of informal settlements or upgrading of slums, especially in the developing countries. Relating to the international theories, the study sought to evaluate the effect of self-help housing on the Build Together Housing (BTP) beneficiaries’ livelihood. As a state-aid self-help housing programme, it has a feature of the initial involvement of the government to encourage self-reliance of communities for sustainability in the self-help housing scheme. In this context, the effectiveness of BTP self-help housing has been highlighted as housing enabler and alternative way of improving housing conditions in urban centres in an affordable manner. When the government provides financial assistance and technical assistance, self-help housing will gradually improve the livelihood of beneficiaries. The study determined that the scheme provides decent shelter with services such as water, sanitation, and electricity, improves the living environment and alleviates informal settlements, creating an enabling environment for communities to reside. The study determined that the effectiveness of self-help housing on the beneficiaries’ livelihood is a means of asset accumulation (physical, human and financial). It offers an opportunity for the community to escape harsh conditions and poverty.
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Keywords
Dissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2021, Self-help housing, Government’s Build Together Programme, Livelihood of beneficiaries., Self-help housing schemes