Low income housing in the city of Nairobi: A case study of Kariobangi north slum.

Abstract

Those interested in urban development recognize that building low income housing do not benefit poor or low-income groups. Kenya, like many other developing Countries often fail to attain the goals and objectives of housing policies and plans geared for low-income groups. A substantial percentage of urban residents occupy units that in terms of policy and planning are intended for other groups Of particular concern are the very poor who often must live in informal areas because middle-income groups occupy housing units planned for them. Several factors contribute to policy failure or success. This proposal contends that three major factors determine the failure of stated objectives of housing the urban poor. Shortcomings of housing policy at both central and local government levels and the effectiveness of the institutions charged with the implementation of policies The proposal raises questions regarding housing policies in Kenya, which can be summarized as follows: What is housing policy? How is housing policy best established? What are the institutional obstacles towards achieving stated policy goals? What are the socio-economic and political implication? This study describes research in process that wiII evaluate achievement of policy objectives for Kariobangi North, a low-income tenants purchase housing scheme in Nairobi.