A study of public institutional framework involved in housing provision

Abstract

The housing process involves complex and multipurpose procedures of realizing housing, its environment and all the related facilities. For the / process to succeed, especially in meeting the basic objective of providing adequate housing for all, several factors have to be harnessed and applied in a manner that will most effectively suit the process. Among these factors the main ones that have to be checked upon are the required resources and the institutions that have to be involved in the implementation of the process. Many solutions have been sought in an effort to reduce problems related to resources so that housing can be realized effectively. Among these solutions however, it is noted that management of institutions in charge of housing process is often a neglected factor. The fact is that, lack of resources is not necessarily the sole cause of housing problems; the administrative capacity of institutional framework responsible for housing is equally important. The administrative capacity will greatly determine how efficiently the available resources are utilized and consequently how the implementation of the process is effected. In Kenya, the agencies that deal with housing and related subjects are distributed among various sectoral divisions of national government and are thus subject to particular sectoral policies. This creates a good atmosphere for the agencies concerned to operate independently with a little or no interaction despite the fact that the multi-sectoral operations are all supposed to contribute to a common objective of housing the Kenyan population. Lack of co-ordination among agencies is therefore taken to be a dogma which little or nothing can be done to eliminate. Besides, working performance of the agencies is often criticized as not efficiently reaching to the housing objectives. It is however, important that all parties involved in housing act in a comprehensive and efficient manner if they are ever to arrive close to the basic targets of housing for all. It was against this background, that the study looked at the public housing institutional framework in Kenya in light of some of the management theory principles that offers tools of efficiency and coordination in operation of institutions. The principles as highlighted in the study included, firstly the role of organization structure in efficiency and co-ordination of institutions. This is clarified by the very definition of structures, i.e. the structure of an organization involves the way / tasks of an organization are divided (differentiated) and co-ordinated (integrated). It is also concerned with patterns of authority, communication and workflow. The organization structure therefore provides the framework of relationships and avenues of interactions among the parties of organization in the course of solving problems. Whether the facility is adequately used will go a long way in determining the outcome of operations of organizations. In this study this role is seen in the light of divisions of tasks within organizations but also seen in the perspective of how tasks are- divided and how they need to be integrated among the many agencies but which contribute to the overall housing institutional framework. Secondly, effective and efficient communication underlie the success of organizations. The housing sector exhibits diverse and multiple participants whose contributions can only be effected through sound communication between the participants. Failure to apply the very principles behind effective communication within operations of respective organizations and also between agencies will definitely affect the performance of these institutions and thereby hamper the achievement of objectives of the organizations. Thirdly, information and its management is considered essential for operations and efficiency of organizations. The role of information in management of organizations is indispensable. The effectiveness of management is in appropriateness of decisions that are made. Good decisions can be made only with relevant and adequate information. The characteristics of the housing sector in terms of what is involved and who are involved underline the need for information and its proper management. It is upon a common source adequate and well managed information that parties involved in housing delivery processes can efficiently and co-ordinatively execute.. their respective tasks . Lastly, the systems theory concepts are highlighted since they have significant impact on how organizations are viewed. They provide a basis for understanding the nature of organizations, their problems and their opportunities. In the housing delivery processes, the systems concepts can be used by viewing the several actors involved as subsystems . The concepts further offer approaches that can be used by heads of the various institutions in managing their respective agencies. On similar lines the central agency charged with co-ordinating activities of all other agencies could utilize the concepts in effecting this essential role. In the study it was found that the existing institutional framework lacked adequate compliance with these fundamental framework of organizational theory and where these were applied, the organizational policies and procedures tended to be too rigid and bureaucratic to suit the expected efficiency. Also the general attitudes of individuals involved rendered use of the principles ineffective. A combination of all these factors largely contributed to inefficient framework in charge of housing delivery in Kenya. A major conclusion was that good management of each separate agency should be seen in the light of benefiting the whole housing sector. There is therefore need that operating organizational structures, communication and information flow and management are reviewed with a view to adopting policies and procedures which will encourage an integrated approach among all agencies in the housing sector.