Housing - The $500 House
Housing the Poor: A Basic Step Towards Increasing Wealth, Improving Health and Productivity
In the developing world decent, affordable housing and productivity are inextricably linked. The world’s poorest people live in substandard housing without access to clean water or sanitation, often in severely overcrowded conditions.
1 billion people are living in slums worldwide, and 117 million people are living in homes made of non-durable materials that do not meet building codes. Between 30-40% of these homes are vulnerable to floods, landslides, hurricanes and earthquakes. One-fifth of the urban population is living in overcrowded houses, which only aggravates the health complications caused by lack of sanitation and clean water. Without sufficient space to live, families’ health and productivity is comprised.
Migration from rural to peri-urban areas is an increasing component of the urbanization rate, particularly due to migrant factory workers. These workers are renting rooms, often low quality, temporary buildings, but paying high rent due to the demand for accommodation in areas of industry.
So why is quality housing out of reach for millions of people around the world? Why do we need a market-driven approach to build market and finance a $500 house?
WHO estimates that 94% of diarrheal cases are preventable through modifications to the environment. Diarrheal episodes are reduced by 25% through improving water supply, 32% by improving sanitation, and by 39% via household water treatment and safe storage.
- WHO
443 million school days are lost each year from water-related illness. For every $1 invested in water and sanitation, $8 is returned in increased productivity.
- Water Aid
42% of the world’s population has no access to basic sanitation, creating 3 million sanitation-related disease episodes and 6 thousand premature deaths per year. This figure could be reduced by more than 75% with proper sanitation and water management.
- World Toilet Organization
WHO estimates that 94% of diarrheal cases are preventable through modifications to the environment. Diarrheal episodes are reduced by 25% through improving water supply, 32% by improving sanitation, and by 39% via household water treatment and safe storage.
- WHO
