Causes, effects, and implications of subletting : experiences from low-income neighborhoods in Third World cities

Abstract

In recent years increasing numbers of low-income families in Third World cities have found it necessary to share housing accommodation. Those with access to land may be unable to afford to build their house or to pay the fees associated with their housing (particularly in upgrading or sites & service projects). Families who entered the market later may be unable to buy land as a result of tightening markets. Government has interests in this process because, while it takes away aspects of their control in sponsored projects, it produces new housing stock with a minimum of government's financial or administrative resources,and without consuming government owned land or the land of powerful political constituents. This thesis is divided into three parts. The first explores the interests of government in subletting. The second looks at the housing needs of landlord-occupants and renters in the present context. And, the third examines three mechanisms of subletting: commodification of housing, consolidation (as both a prerequisite to and result of subletting), and architectural design as an agent in the occurrence of subletting.