Poor housing and its effects on low-income renters in Ghana the case of Wenchi Municipality

Abstract

Shelter is one of the fundamental needs for human survival aside food and clothing. However, provision of adequate housing to accommodate people especially, the urban poor has been a challenge in developing countries. This has caused many Ghanaians in the low-income group to resort to the rental sector for their housing needs. The study seeks to examine the effects of poor housing on low-income renters in the Wenchi Municipality. It aims at identifying challenges low-income renters face in the Municipality. The study was conducted in the Wenchi Municipality using the mixed methodology approach. A total of 267 participants made up of 245 tenants, 15 landlords, an official each from CHRAJ, Town and Country Planning and the Environmental and Sanitation Unit. The study revealed that security challenges, privacy and health problems were some of the challenges that affect renters in the study area. Relocation of family members and alteration of houses were some of the coping strategies used by tenants. The study has revealed that some families send their adolescents to stay with relatives in order to create space. Education on the need for tenants and landlords to have formal contractual arrangements on rent and strengthen the institutions that are mandated to perform duties in the rental sector were the recommendations made.