Assessment of the viability of housing co-operatives for low income groups in Zimbabwe : a case of Emganwini Bulawayo
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Date
2012-01
Authors
Mabusa, Olgah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Fort Hare
Abstract
Housing provision is considered to be a human right internationally, however the problem of inadequate housing is persistent especially in developing countries, and Zimbabwe is not an exception. Housing co-operatives can offer an alternative provision especially to the low income earners who are less likely to obtain houses through conventional housing finance schemes. However, the viability of housing co-operatives in Zimbabwe is questionable because they encounter a myriad of problems which threaten their operations. The objective of the study was to assess the potential viability of Emganwini housing co-operative in facilitating the provision of housing to the homeless low income earners in Bulawayo province of Zimbabwe. The study specifically sought the challenges that housing co-operatives usually encounter in a bid to identify measures which may be used to capacitate them as housing provision agents. The study followed a qualitative methodology and data was collected through the use of a case study research design. Primary data was obtained from members of the
co-operative through the use of questionnaires. In-depth interviews were also conducted with the key informants being the housing co-operative's executive committee members.
Data collected was analysed through the use of Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS) and was presented through the use of descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that the housing co-operative has the ability to meet the housing needs of its members. However, the main constrains were a lack of access to capital and high costs of constructing houses, especially due to continued increase of building material prices, hiring land developers and labour. Macro-economic conditions such as high inflation rates were also a major set back for the housing co-operative. Transparency within the co-operative's management committee was an outstanding factor that needed to be addressed.
Description
Masters Dissertation
Keywords
Housing, Low-income housing, Municipal services
Citation
Mabusa,O.Assessment of the viability of housing co-operatives for low income groups in Zimbabwe : a case of Emganwini Bulawayo.Alice.University of Fort Hare.