Often when we hear the term “housing crisis,” it is in reference to mostly developed nations. In many developed nations, especially in Western nations, the cost of housing has skyrocketed in recent years, pricing many people out of the possibility of buying a house. However, we rarely hear about the term being used in the context of African countries, when it really should be.
An unfortunate reality is that there are millions of Africans who still don’t live in any kind of formal housing. Many Africans all over the continent are priced out of living in any kind of formal housing due to the low wages that they earn.
Shanty towns/slums are not uncommon around many of Africa’s major cities. Because large groups of people move towards major cities for job opportunities, however, the low wages they earn often prevent them from affording housing within the city. As a result, they often live in informal settlements on the outskirts of the city.
Not Enough Housing:
It is just a fact that there are often not enough houses being built in many of our cities to accommodate their populations. Every year thousands of people leave rural areas and go towards cities because of the better employment opportunities offered to them in bigger cities.
Often, due to a lack of proper long-term planning, not enough housing is built to accommodate the influx of people that arrive every year.
Housing is a privilege, not a right:
Many lower-income families are completely priced out of owning or renting a home in many African cities. It has meant that housing has become a privilege only afforded to wealthier populations while the others are left to fend for themselves.
The lack of access to formal housing poses major challenges to the inhabitants of informal settlements, such as:
1. Lack of Housing security
These plots of land where the informal settlements are located are often not owned by the settlers living there. Therefore, they are at a constant risk of being evicted from the settlements.
2. Lack of access to electricity
These settlements are typically not connected to any power grid; therefore, basic tasks like cooking become difficult for the residents.
3. Limited access to clean water
As the informal settlements are not connected to the city water supply either, inhabitants usually must look for clean drinking water sources. Often, this may be in the form of a nearby borehole, fountain, or water body. In some cases, the inhabitants often may be required to travel long distances to access this water.
4. Dangerous environments
Often these informal settlements are dangerous environments, where criminals may take advantage of the vulnerable positions people are in. Women especially can be vulnerable to attacks due to the lack of security afforded to them in informal settlements.
5. Lack of educational facilities
Residents of informal settlements often lack access to public services like schools. Therefore, the children growing up there may be unable to attend nearby schools.
This cannot be normalized
The dire state of housing across Africa cannot be overlooked or accepted as the norm. It is unacceptable that so many Africans are deprived of basic shelter and forced to live in precarious conditions. Access to adequate housing is not a luxury but a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all.
Urgent action is needed to address this crisis. Governments must prioritize the removal of barriers like restrictive zoning laws and implement initiatives, such as social housing programs, to ensure that every individual has a safe and dignified place to call home. It is vital that we advocate for change and demand that housing becomes a reality for all people across the continent.
