Housing Typologies, Comprehensive Approach, and Theories on Housing

Question 1

Critical to the implementation of any housing program. A __ strategy must take into account the local economic conditions and governmental institutions relevant to each program.

Answer 1

Financing

Question 2

Many people cannot afford to purchase their own homes. __ allow individuals to pool resources and strengthen their ability to build and invest in housing. Usually a __ receives external financial assistance such as grants and subsidies.

Answer 2

Cooperative

Question 3

To fully fund the development of housing projects, government or non-government organizations (NGOs) may collect rental or mortgage payments from participants. These payments may cover part or all of development costs and are typically charged based on participants ability to pay. Housing developers may also sell property on the private market to subsidize affordable units.

Answer 3

Cost Recovery

Question 4

A large proportion of the world’s population lives in poverty and needs some type of financial assistance to obtain housing. Access to credit is one of the most critical obstacles to acquiring housing. Cases in this section describe low-interest rate financing, mortgage guarantees and other financial innovations that increase access to credit.

Answer 4

Credit

Question 5

When people cannot afford a house but have income with which to pay rent, __ing can be a useful tool to achieve home ownership. Renters can make regular contributions to become owners over a determined time period. These payments have two components: the rent and an additional amount that will cover the total value of the house at a previously arranged term.

Answer 5

Lease

Question 6

When the market fails to provide adequate housing, __ may be used to fill the gap. A central government may create different low-rate financing systems to promote housing programs

Answer 6

National Financing

Question 7

The free market can exclude low-income home buyers and renters because of high prices. To correct this market failure, a government or NGO may intervene in the housing market by providing a grant to lower prices. This assistance can be made to the buyer, renter or seller.

Answer 7

Subsidies

Question 8

The Best Practices described in this section are divided into three groups. The first group of practices addresses the immediate and basic needs of homeless people through various forms of direct intervention by the government. The second group devises ways of helping those in need to obtain the skills and opportunities they need to make the transition to independence. The last group of practices establishes a comprehensive safety net or proactive infrastructure that prevents __ from becoming epidemic.

Answer 8

Homelessness

Question 9

Growing numbers of people worldwide lack shelter and other basic needs. Government and NGOs can provide __ to homeless people, including shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other services.

Answer 9

Direct Assistance

Question 10

Homeless people often lack the means to become economically self-sufficient. __ schemes can provide them with the ability to become independent and integrated within the community

Answer 10

Income Generation

Question 11

It is often possible to prevent homelessness through intervention before a person becomes homeless. These interventions may include legal advice, financial assistance and counseling

Answer 11

Prevention

Question 12

Many factors can impede the __ of housing. For example, cost is a critical issue, especially in developing countries with fewer available resources. New technologies have been successfully employed to counteract problems arising from lack of funds, space and time. By recycling materials and renovating existing buildings to rebuild housing, developers can cut costs and make optimal use of existing resources. Self-construction and partnership building have increased community participation, employment, and homeownership while helping individual families to survive.

Answer 12

Construction and Rehabilitation

Question 13

High construction costs and funding limitations make it imperative for housing developers to find the most cost-effective approaches to construction. Cost-saving innovations include the use of inexpensive building materials, recycling of old building materials and the conversion of nonresidential buildings to residential use.

Answer 13

Low-Cost Building Techniques

Question 14

The high cost of conventional building materials and limited access to resources impede the development of housing. Housing projects may employ a variety of innovative technological approaches such as the use of solar energy systems and modular housing design to reduce costs and use available resources more efficiently.

Answer 14

Construction: Technology & Methods

Question 15

(pt1) involving an exchange of residents’ free labor for free building materials can catalyze housing development, reduce construction costs, and promote home ownership and community involvement. The establishment of community associations and the provision of technical training are important factors that facilitate self-construction.

Answer 15

Self-Construction and Mutual Help

Question 16

Often in urban areas, space for new construction is limited and a significant proportion of housing stock is dilapidated. Improvement and modernization of old buildings is, therefore, often more effective than demolition and new construction. Measures should be taken to implement __ without displacing tenants, where possible.

Answer 16

Rehabilitation

Question 17

Natural disasters present two challenges: prevention and response. Preventative measures include disaster-resistant technologies and appropriate planning techniques. Effective responses to disasters should include the timely rebuilding and improvement of housing and infrastructure and the provision of interim relief.

Answer 17

Natural Disasters: Rehabilitation and Construction

Question 18

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing each nation and various levels of government is finding inexpensive ways to fund housing for those unable to afford it. In developed nations with more available assistance, disseminating information about specific types of assistance has proven effective.

Answer 18

Low Income and Affordable Housing

Question 19

Many low-income households lack the information and assistance needed to secure housing. Counseling and training may empower residents to understand the legal and economic resources that are available to help them acquire and retain housing.

Answer 19

Informational and Counseling Services

Question 20

Economically homogeneous communities can perpetuate segregation and social and economic polarization. (pt1) communities can produce benefits such as job creation and economic development for local residents in all income groups.

Answer 20

Mixed-income Housing

Question 21

The most successful housing programs involve well- executed strategic or long-range plans. There are often geographic, environmental, economic and population-specific issues that require careful consideration in planning. Involving community members in the planning process improves the responsiveness and appropriateness of plans and promotes project sustainability.

Answer 21

Planning and Comprehensive Approach to Housing Development

Question 22

In some cases environmental conditions and limited natural resources affect the development of housing. Housing developers should take care to make effective use of local resources and to create designs with environmental conditions in mind.

Answer 22

Environmentally Sensitive Planning

Question 23

Housing projects often lack clear and detailed strategies for the design of (pt1). These cases illustrate how housing projects can address (pt2&3) issues such as clean water, solid waste collection and crime reduction through innovative planning and design.

Answer 23

Infrastructure, Sanitation, and Safety

Question 24

Millions of families are living in extreme poverty conditions, lacking basic needs such as food and shelter. This section addresses some of the strategies that have been used to improve the conditions of those living in marginalized areas. These strategies include the provision of land tenure and security, and the redevelopment of slums and shantytowns.

Answer 24

Distressed Areas

Question 25

Lack of land security poses one of the greatest threats to marginalized and poor groups. A number of innovative programs provide __ to address this problem and lay the foundation for sustainable communities.

Answer 25

Free Land Plots

Question 26

The problem of providing housing for families living in high poverty areas is one of the greatest challenges facing urban areas today. Housing developers can employ innovative methods for constructing housing, building infrastructure, and providing social services that integrate these affected groups into the mainstream.

Answer 26

Slum, Shantytown, and Squatter Settlement Redevelopment

Question 27

To sustain thriving communities, planners must often address housing and economic development simultaneously. Creative strategies can generate jobs and income for residents, facilitate their entry into local economies, and meet housing needs. The provision of housing alone may not address other critical socio-economic and cultural needs of the community. Housing projects can be designed to address housing needs and catalyze community and social development simultaneously, incorporating a variety of program components into their design. Increased participation fosters a healthier, more invested community.

Answer 27

Community and Economic Development

Question 28

(pt1) is often an integral element of successful planning and development projects. (pt1) gives voice to residents, enabling them to advocate for themselves and influence their environment. (pt2) provides the hard skills necessary for community members to work toward personal and community goals and improve socio-economic conditions for all. Providing information and training can help residents build and maintain their communities.

Answer 28

Community Participation and Capacity Building

Question 29

Involve the community in the planning and implementation stages of projects. This includes participation in the identification of current problems of the neighborhood or area, as well as the design of a plan that includes feasible solutions in which they can also participate. In addition, special training programs can be provided to the residents, so that they can participate more actively.

Answer 29

Community Participation

Question 30

To promote the long-term sustainability of housing projects, participants must play an informed and productive role in project development and implementation. Many successful projects include a variety of methods for building participants leadership, management and technical skills

Answer 30

Capacity Building

Question 31

Multi-sectoral collaboration can generate creative responses to housing problems, harnessing resources and talent from the private, public and the non-governmental sectors. This growing trend has catalyzed entire communities, and has promoted greater understanding between sectors.

Answer 31

Partnerships

Question 32

In some cases, the resolution of housing problems is dependent on the reform and simplification of government regulations. Reform may seek to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate obstacles to creative responses

Answer 32

Regulation