LOW COST & SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

Oct 8, 2017
2 min read

Will there ever be enough suitable housing that meets the rising standard of living?

There is a severe shortage of housing in developed and developing Countries.

Demand for housing far exceeds Supply resulting in exorbitant prices, which makes owning or renting a house which meets the basic standards of WHO unattainable to many, globally.

Why is the present housing stock so expensive?

Materials of construction currently in use have become more expensive. However , this is not the sole reason. As an Engineer , one can determine the ACTUAL COST OF CONSTRUCTION of a Structure , so clearly on a construction cost estimate alone , properties are overpriced.

Here , comes into the play the VALUATION of the property by Estate Valuation Professionals.

"Location ,Location, Location"

Saying this , if any Government gets involved in Housing for the masses , Policies have to be introduced to stabilise the price of affordable low cost housing as well as address Ownership.

The use of alternative building materials and fixtures which are safe is of interest in constructing housing which is low cost.

It is also crucial that low cost housing is sustainable.

Alternative materials can be used in building houses but the issue of cultural acceptance has to be addressed if People are to buy into the concept of ownership of homes built utilising alternative materials.

Spatial planning is crucial in order to determine what the essential space requirements are , in developing different models of housing.

Below are examples of Typical Low Cost Housing Estate/Affordable Housing Models, which I have developed.

The design of the typical housing unit , materials used in construction and the finishes have a great effect on the price of a typical unit. The design includes design for energy efficiency. The Climate also has a determining effect upon the choice of materials used in construction to attain maximum energy efficiency. The location also has a significant effect upon the overall construction costs as the soil classification and properties , affects foundation design , which is a crucial element of durability and sustainability of the housing structure.

The construction methods and manpower requirements also affect the price. LCH must be able to be constructed in a timely manner .

LOW COST HOUSING MUST MEET THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF HOUSING AS SPECIFIED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION.