An alternative approach for low income housing in Algeria : housing cooperative

Abstract

The population which suffers most directly from deficit in housing, in developing countries are the low income populations. Why has the problem been allowed to develop, and why have solutions been not forthcoming? There are no easy answers. This study will undertake, to present and examine the current housing policy structure in Algeria, and to understand why it failed to meet expectations. Based on this analysis an attempt will be made, to provide an alternative approach to reduce the deficit. The study will be outlined in three parts: The first part will analyze how housing sector relates to developmental strategy. The housing crisis is closely linked to the secondary role housing has been allocated in the national policy for development. The problem is further aggravated by the housing policies adopted which are foreign to Algeria' s socio-economic framework. The second part of the thesis looks at some specific strategies formulated in developing countries for the large majority of low income urban dwellers. These strategies take off from existing practice in squatter areas. They involve direct individual participation in the housing production process which will cut the costs and responsibilities of the government. These strategies have been largely investigated by some international development agencies and governments of developing countries. The experience today is old enough to have some appreciation in drawbacks and benefits of such approaches, which will be considered in the proposal. The third part of the study will propose a method of implementing this type of approach. The system considered is a housing cooperative as it offers a major instrument to organize and rationalize the participatory process among the low-income groups. The proposed cooperative system will be discussed in the light of the Algerian context as it is very important that any policy implementation needs to be totally adapted to the complex and difficult situation of each particular developing country.