low- income house types for Kenya, a selection 04 house types with estimated construction cost prices, suitable for t~e low-income group.

Abstract

It is the aim of this publication to provide reference plans of urban house types suitable for the low-income group. Each example shown indicates a design solution which conforms with certain design criteria and is not meant as a prototype to be applied indiscrimanately. It is usually assumed that a household can afford 40 spend 2~/o of its income on housing. The latest figures indicate that for 1977 the average household income in the formal sector was approxima?"'tel..¥~,.K1S0h0s0/- per month. This would mean that large numbers of Kenyans can afford less than KShs.200/- per month on housing(l). In the governmed; housing policy, as laid down in the Development plan 1974-78 it says: (2) ".......•......... each housing unit constructed in urban areas shall have at ",.least two rooms plus its own oJ; II kitchen and toilet. Such a minimum, with two rooms, kitchen', toilet and a shower, 1Jl:j~ ,I in permanent materials by a registered cbntractor will cost approximately KShs.25,000/- (including cost of infrastructure) and the occupant's monthly charge would be over KShs. 200/-. Therefore it is very often found that a household occupies only one room. Normally the owner of the house (if living there) does not share the kitchen but shares