Desalegn body final

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CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
Housing conditions refer to totality of external influences, natural and man-made which impinges
on man and affects his well being. This includes the life-support systems that make the housing
units to be comfortable for the inhabitants (Bamipboye and Segun, 2005)
A good house must possess the appearance and general layout, must be attractive, comply with
general custom and habits of the people, without which it may be turned in to slum (Ibid.).
Bamipboye and Segun (2005) further stated that, right to adequate housing is a central importance
for the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights. Individuals as well as families are
entitled to adequate housing regardless of age, sex, economic status, race, religion or other
affiliations. This is because its availability is fundamental to living in dignity and good health,
good quality of life and general well-being. In spite of this inseparable link between good housing
and health, over 100 million people worldwide are homeless while more than a billion live in
shelters that are not only inadequate but are also determined to health. Housing and health have
become a atypical issue in public health discourse for a very long time in view of the existence of
increasing evidences as regards the potential effects of inadequate conditions of living premises on
the inhabitants.
The intimate connection between housing and health has been well known for more than a century-
Florence Nightingle once wrote, “the connection between health and the dwelling of the
population is core of the most important that exists’’ (EHP, 2005).
In the same line James Kriger and Donna Higgins, (2002) described that, housing is an important
determinant of health, and sub standard housing situation is a major public issue. WHO (2013)
also stated that housing condition affect people’s health.
Inadequate housing causes or contributes too many preventable diseases and injuries, including
respiratory, nervous system and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Poor design or construction of
homes is the cause of most home accidents; in some European countries it kills more people than
do road accidents.
According to (UN-HABITAT: 2005). report prepared for the world urban forum in Vancouver,
“improving conditions and addressing the global housing crisis should be a high priority for

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national governments and international donors, but for reasons that are not clear, it is not --- in
many counties around the world, opportunities to achieve economic, social, and civic development
goals through housing- related initiatives are being missed,”
As statistics showed, by the year 2030 an additional 3 billion people, about 40 percent of the
world’s population, will need access to housing. This translates in to a demand for 96,150 new
affordable units every day and 4,000 every hour (UN- HABITAT: 2005).
One of every three city dwellers- nearly a billion people- lives in a slum and that number is
expected to double in the next 25 years. Slum indicators include: lack of water, lack of sanitation,
overcrowding, non durable structures and insecure tenure (UN-HABITAT: 2006).
As much as 70 percent of the urban housing stock in sub-Saharan Africa, 50 percent in Latin
America and Caribbean is of poor quality and not in compliance with local regulations (Kissick
etal, 2006).
In 2010, 41.81% of the EU population, lived in flats, just over one third (34.4%) in detached
houses and 23.0% in semi-detached houses. The share of persons living in flats was highest among
EU member states in Latvia (65.4%), Estonia and Spain (both 64.5%). The share of people living
in detached houses peaked in Slovenia (67.3%), Hungary (64.5%), Romania (65.0%) and Denmark
(59.2%) Croatia and Norway also reported high shares (72.9% and 62.7% respectively) of their
population living in detached housing (EU, 2012).
In Africa, all countries regardless of their social, economic and political conditions are confronted
with an acute problem of housing, because they all face similar developmental challenges
( Hommond, 1991).
In Africa as in most developing regions, there are large numbers of people without any form of
shelter at all or living in deteriorated or improvable conditions. While the situation is felt by the
majority of the population, the most affected are the low-income earners, the unemployed and
under employed (Ibid.).
Hammond (1991) further identifies, some of the constraints leading to housing problems in Africa.
These include: population growth with increasing urbanization; shortage of housing finance; land
tenure and cost; unavailability and high cost of imported building materials; low incomes of
prospective buyers and low priority for housing in the construction sector.

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Of these constraints land tenure, housing finance and availability and cost of building materials
may be identified as the most important ones.
As one of African countries in Ethiopia, the majority of houses are susceptible to easily collapse
due to their poor construction (HFHE, 2009). Homes are often cramped with dirty floors, leaking
roofs and no windows or doors, living occupants vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, insects
and rodents, poor ventilation for inside cooking fires is a common cause of respiratory problems.
Moreover, a staggering 90 percent of population has no access to decent sanitation facilities, and
73 percent of the population does not have safe drinking water, causing disease to run rampant
(Ibid.).
HFHE (2009) further stated that, substandard housing not only has an adverse effect on health but
also education, job performance and overall quality of life. Most families living in such condition
have little chance of improving their situations without assistance, and life is a daily battle for
most. The needs for decent housing especially among vulnerable group families are very high.
As Encyclopedia of the Nations (2007), except in Addis Ababa, Harer, Dire Dawa, and few other
urban centers, most houses are built of mud or mortar and have that tin roofs. Housing shortages
and overcrowding were still major concerns. It has been estimated that 89% of the population is
living in substandard housing. Homelessness is a big problem in urban areas, it has been estimated
that 80% of the residents is Addis Ababa are homeless or substandard housing.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Housing is one of the basic necessities of human beings. It is directly linked with physical and
mental health and generally the personality of people who live in them. According to Burns (1976)
“a house is core, central place and the starting point of all life in human settlement,” in short
human life. However, today large numbers of people are living in substandard or inadequate
houses (Abrams, 1964). Due to the unbalanced growth of population and economic development,
the problem has become acute in developing countries. Most of the people of these countries are
found in congested, unsanitary and uncomfortable conditions. Greater population in towns mainly
due to rural-urban migration has fastened the expansion of slums and squatter settlements which
are common features in most developing countries, (Homby and Jones, 1991).

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Ethiopia, one of the least developed countries, with high population growth rate and low level of
economic development, is highly affected by housing problem. Most of town dwellers are badly
housed and they are in severe problems of housing. The pressure on the available housing units
and related facilities are increasing because of low rate of construction (Gebeyehu Abelti etal,
2001).
Housing condition refers not only to physical structure of housing units that man uses for shelter,
but it also include necessary services and facilities such as toilet, kitchen, water supply, garbage
disposal etc. (Ibid.).
On the basis of this, most of the available dwelling units are of low standard, congested and
deteriorated. According to NUPI (1991) report, Aleta Wondo is one of the oldest towns of
Ethiopia. Like other towns in the country, it shares the problem of housing. This problem is not a
recent phenomenon rather it has come to a more serious level from time to time. The physical
structure of the town is one of the main sources of the problem. The south and south eastern
expansion of the town is one of the main sources of the problem. The south and south eastern
expansion of the town is constrained by the Melewo River and steep nature of the relief situation.
Thus, the existing land feature by itself has a negative impact on the cost incurred for the
development under takings of physical infrastructures. In addition to physical constraints, the
socio- economic constrains are by far the most riddling problem in the town’s prospective
horizontal development (Ibd).
The adjoining ‘kebele’ peasant administrations (KPA) are densely settled and depend upon
perennial (cash) crops: such as coffee plantation for their livelihood. During the full
implementation of the development plan of the town about 8,613 peasants family are expected to
be displaced. This may escalate (inflate) the social cost incurred and the capital out lay required for
indemnity (compensation) which may run beyond the financial capability of the municipality. The
problem is not only shortage of housing units, but the condition of the existing house is not also
satisfactory. According to 1994, 2007 census results, the number of households was 2620, 4710
and the total number of housing units was 2114 and 4486 respectively. From this it can be inferred
that over 500, 224 Households put additional pressure on the available housing unit and housing
facilities. This shows the demand pressure has not been solved from 1994 to 2007 Censuses.
Currently there are 4757 housing units and 5753 households found in the town. This implies, 996

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households put additional pressure on the available housing units and facilities with household size
4.8. However, it the household size is decreased to 3, the demand of housing unit to be inflated to
3410.
This paper, therefore, attempts, to assess the housing condition that are associated with the
physical structure and facilities as well as other social services tied with housing units in ‘Kebele’
Cheffe and Deela of Aleta Wondo town.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The general objective is to explore housing conditions and associated problems in ‘Kebele’ Cheffe
and Deela of the town of Aleta Wondo. More specifically the objectives of the study are to:
i. assess the general condition of housing unit in the selected Kebeles
ii. Examine the magnitude of housing problems.
iii. investigate the effect of socio-economic status of the occupants on the condition
of housing unit
iv. examine the impact of conditions of housing units on the socio-economic
status of the households.
v. identify which socio economic and demographic factors are more critical to
housing problems.
1.4 Research Questions
Based on the formulated objectives, the study attempts to give answer for the following
questions:-
1. Is there any shortage of housing units in kebele Cheffe and Deela in Aleta Wondo?
2. Which types of housing facilities are lacking in the two kebeles under consideration?
3. Is there any relation between the structural type of the housing and the income of
households?
4. Which of groups of housing unit’s type in kebele cheffe and Deela of Aleta wondo have
been well managed and maintained?
5. Do residential areas and housing conditions influence the socio-economic conditions of the
residents?

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Which socio-economic and demographic condition of household is/are more critical to housing
conditions?
1.5 Significance of the Study
Although for longer time many studies have been undertaken in connection with the issue of
housing problem, the problem is growing fast and has become serious and complicated through
time .The studies so far conducted were directed to Addis Ababa or other urban center in other
parts of the country at large. But many old towns like Aleta Wondo were given less attention with
regard to housing studies. On the basis of this fact, this study is hoped to fill this gap. In addition,
the importance of this study lies in identifying the magnitude of the problem and its underlying
causes.
The recommendation based on the findings of the study can be used by local policy maker and
concerned offices to stress on the challenges of the town and seek solutions. To bring about a
major improvement, an appropriate intervention plan is indispensable. This plan obviously requires
a reliable statistics on housing and housing services. Furthermore, this study will serve as a base
line for further studies in the same area.
1.6 Scope of the Study
Even though the issue is very critical and should be investigated thoroughly. It was not possible to
go through each ‘kebele’ of the town, because of time and financial constraints. It was found
difficult to cover the town as a whole. As a result the scope of this study is to assess the housing
conditions in Cheffe and Deela ‘Kebele’ which are located in Aleta Wondo. Because, there is 130
dwelling units regarded as squatter settlement in both ‘kebeles’ with total population of 709 at the
time of survey.

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CHAPTER TWO
Review of the Related Literatures
2.1. Housing
Housing is one of the most complex elements of urban study (Azeb, 2000) stated that, the type,
size and shape of housing depend upon cultural, physical and economic conditions of the given
area. World health organization (WHO) defines housing as:-
A residential environment which includes in addition to the physical stature that uses for shelter, as
necessary need or desire for the physical well beings of the family and the individual (WHO,
1973:17).
Thus, housing is much greater than the physical shelter. It requires availability and efficiency of
housing facilities such as water supply, electricity, bath and toilet. Furthermore, housing site,
accessibility to transportation and proximity to community services such as schools, health stations
and business centers as well as neighborhood characteristics can also reflect the condition of
housing units.
Although housing is one of the basic needs of human beings, because of different reasons, at
present relatively very few families can have exactly the kind of housing they want (lewis etal,
1961). Different families need different kinds of housing and their need change with family cycle;
marriage, birth of child, and at old age when children leave their family by establishing their life.
The general condition of dwelling units affect the interaction, health and at large the overall
personality of housing members. As to Dwayer (1975). The impact of housing in man’s physical,
mental and social well being is very great.
Due to its multidimensional nature, housing problem is a multifaceted problem. It is not the only
concern of a family but it is also the problem of every community at large at global level. Many
countries have serious problems of housing. Due to the rapid population growth and low economic
developments as well as fast urbanization process, at present the problem is severe in developing
countries and majority of the population is poorly housed and live in congested condition (Ibid.).

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Regarding this critical condition, Dwayer states that “even though housing shortage exists in most
countries of the world, the case of developing countries particularly appears more worse” (Dwayer,
1975:176).
2.2. Measures of Housing Quality
Certain elements have been used to measure the quality of housing units. WHO (1973) suggested
five elements to measure the condition of housing units. These are: i/ physical structure of housing
units; ii/ availability of housing facilities; iii/ density of housing units and residential areas; iv/
neighboring conditions and v/ housing site.
i. Physical Structure of The Housing Units
Housing units may have different structures. Varying units constructed by wood and mud bricks.
To modern housing units it should depend on the climate, socio economic and culture of the
society. The materials used in the construction of housing units can also reflect the living condition
of household as well availability of that particular building material in the area. Thus, the material
used in the construction of a housing stock can be used to measure its quality. Accordingly, there
are various housing units based on the material used for construction of wall, roof and floor
(BOPED, 1998; Evans, 1980).
ii. Housing Facilities
The availability of basic housing facilities in the housing unit is also used to measure its quality.
Housing facilities such as water supply, toilet, kitchen, lighting, bathing and others make a housing
unit more attractive in addition to their socio-economic values.
The availability of these facilities can determine the value of housing unit in the housing market.
Furthermore, the availability of these facilities keeps the psychological, social and economic desire
of the households (Evans, 1980).
iii. The Degree of Crowding
The degree of crowding can be expressed in terms of size and number of rooms and dwellers in the
housing unit, (Logie, 1978).

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The CSA (1989) described a housing unit as overcrowded if it is occupied by three or more
persons per room.
The CSA (1989) further state that, a room has to have at least two meters of wall height with
4square meter of room of floor size. However, the housing units in most of developing countries
are small in size and a single room is occupied by the whole family (Rice, 1992). In general, most
of the people living in the urban areas of developing countries are with congested condition. It is
thus clear that overcrowding is related to poor mental and physical health. Also it may result in
poor social relation among the household members. Overcrowding can also be expressed in terms
of person per unit area.
Accordingly, in the slum area of developing countries large numbers of housing units are found
crowded beyond the capacity to supply basic facilities, public services and sanitation (Burns,1977;
Rice, 1992). Thus the degree of crowding can be used to measure the quality of housing units.
iv. Neighborhood Condition
Neighborhood condition can be used to measure the quality of housing units. Neighborhood
condition as to Tyler (1986) can be expressed in term of the following four general characteristics;
1. Environmental characteristic might include beauty of natural resources, noise, pollution of
air and water;
2. Socio-economic characteristic might include various ethnic, income group, educational or
occupational classes;
3. Public service characteristics might include school quality, recreational facility, health
condition, and the like and
4. Location characteristic could include accessibility to desired location of jobs, shopping or
transportation opportunity.
Noise from adjacent dwelling or other service centers affect the quality of housing environment.
Because of noise and other disturbance, currently many urban residents leave the central town and
settle in suburb areas.

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V. Housing Site
Site or location of housing can affect its quality. Site refers to the actual physical qualities the
places occupies, where there it lies in a confining valley, on a coastal plain, on the edge of plateau
or perhaps an island. (Blij, 1969:390).
Due to variation in location, different places with in one town may have different degree of
adequacy of housing facilities. That is why most of central residential areas have better opportunity
of accessibility to public services and others activities than peripheral areas (Evans, 1980).
In most case housing sites are associated with zones of income groups, educational status or
ethnics groups. New immigrants for instance, because of income problem live either in area which
is inconvenient for living environment, without adequate housing facility and amenities where
housing rent is low or lives with their relatives (Tayler, 1986).
2.3 Factors of Housing Condition
There are various factors that influence the condition of housing units. As to Alebachew (1996)-
there are four factors that affect housing units. These are economic level, technological level, rate
of population growth and housing policy. But in addition to these, educational status, customs and
tradition, and geographic factors also affect the housing condition of a given area.
2.4. Economic Level
The physical structure of housing, construction rate of housing, the availability of housing facility
and public service are determined by the economic standard of the country as well as per capita
income of the household. That is why housing problem becomes sever and people live in
unconventional housing units in the third world cities(Dweyer,1975).
The conditions of housing and personal income of households have direct relation. That means
growth of personal income results in growth in the demand for better housing (ibid).
Due to economic factor most of the urban poor settle in areas where housing cost low but living is
inconvenient. Those with higher income on the other hand have access to wider range of housing
alternative on the basis of personal performance and household needs. (Gugler, 1997).

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2.5. Technological Level
Technological level of a given country can determine planning for and level of construction of
dwelling units and related facilities. It can also determine the measures that should be tackled the
housing problem. The type of construction materials used, which affects the quality and duration
of dwelling units and type of construction reflect the technological level of the country. They can
also reflect the living standard of the households (Carter, 1995).
2.6. Rate of Population Growth
As to Burns (1977) housing problems in urban area arise due to disequilibrium between the rapidly
growing population size and the newly available constructed housing units. The rapid growing
urban population results in various complex problems. The problem is very prominent in housing
realm. The major and greatest source of this excess population of urban centers is expected to be
in-migration from rural areas. The wide gap between the supply and demand of housing units
results over concentration of people in the existing housing units and development of slums and
squatter settlements.
2.7. Educational Status
The educational status of a society indicates the quality of a given population. Finding the
solutions for the problem of housing is not the activity of the government alone, but rather every
member of a community status can understand the seriousness of the problem and use the available
housing units and related facilities properly (Azeb, 2000).
They also support the government by finding local solutions and trying to control their family size
by considering their living standard.
2.8. Culture and Tradition
The culture and tradition of a given area has impact on housing condition. The culture and tradition
of one area has impact on size, shape and preference of construction materials for housing units
(Follann James and chim lim Gill, 1980).

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For instance, nomadic peoples with no permanent settlement have mobile housing units. Thus
problem arises in an attempt to define these mobile housing units. It also becomes quite difficult to
measure the degree of these housing units (ibid.).
2.9. Geographical Factors
Geographical factors such as climatic condition and geological processes can affect the condition
of housing ways of residents, generally the overall human activities. The selection of housing site,
use of construction materials, form and style of building should take in to consideration. These
geological factors such a duration and intensity of temperature and rain fall condition, the type,
character and depth of soil, and structure of rock and others as cited in Azeb(2000), Pickering and
Own stated that:
“Urbanized areas are clearly more at risk than the rural open countryside, because potentially
large number of facilities can result during disasters. As the population increase, we place more
demands on the earth’s limited resources, natural process becomes more serious as potential
hazards.”
Therefore, some geological and geophysical characteristics of the area should be taken in to
consideration.
2.10. Housing Policy
Housing policy of a given country can also affect the housing supply, demand and housing
facilities. Due to the seriousness of the problem governments of different countries have given
much attention to overcome the problem of housing be designing and adopting various policies
(Kissic etal, 2013).
Despite its variety of approaches, housing policy has vital role in improving the existing condition.
The policy should consider the socio-economic, cultural, political and physical condition. Even
though government has significant role in policy formation, private organizations should have their
own participation. Otherwise “such significant questions as overcrowding, unemployment and low
standard of housing could not be solved by municipal action alone” (Rhoda Richard, 1982).

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2.11. Socio-economic Aspects of Housing
Housing determines the overall life of human beings. It has intimate linkage with economic
and social conditions, in line with this Dweyer (1975:58) stated:
“Housing condition influences the productive capacity of man and thereby plan a significant
role in the overall economic development of a nation and hence it considerably influences
man’s physical, mental and social well being.”
The multidimensional nature of housing makes its socio-economic benefit tremendous. If there
is satisfactory housing condition, the social interaction of family members and the
neighborhood becomes better, the economic plans of the family as well as governments give
much attention to other aspects and the health of society will also be in better condition which
highly determines the development process of the country.
In addition, Burns (1977) explains the result of housing as it fastens the development of other
industries through the production of materials for buildings, public amenities, transportation
etc. and this reduces serious social problems including unemployment. It also in turn helps the
growth of national employment.
On the contrary, inadequate housing exposes people to various physiological and social
problems. Overcrowding, homelessness, crime, juvenile delinquency and deterioration of the
environment are the problems. Poor housing and public health have direct correlation.
Unhealthy housing units and lack of sufficient dwelling facilities like lack of clean water
supply, insufficient lighting, lack of sewerage for disposing garbage, inaccessible road etc.
make the society victim of health problems.
Inadequacy of all these facilities may largely result in various diseases and it in turn has
negative impact on the socio-economic condition of the country. Housing condition itself in the
country is greatly governed by the socio-economic status of the society. Treating the problem
of housing and improving the existing situation depend on the economic capability of the
country.

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2.12 Population Mobility and Housing Shortage
Every day large number of people moves from one area to another because of various reasons.
These include conflict, economic conditions, environmental change, political strife and
technological factors. As to Blij (1996) their movement may be short term or long term or
some move from village to towns or others across ocean and sea.
Population mobility in world countries has focused on great rural- urban migration. Most city
governments try to check this movement by different methods but not that much successful
rather it increases from time to time (Blij 1996).
This condition has great impact on the number and kind of people seeking housing in urban
areas. The motive of population mobility varies from person to person.
As to Gurgler (1997) there are different motives including expectation of better life with higher
and more stable income, best education opportunity for themselves and their children. But the
situations they find in urban areas are extremely opposite. Those who are not educated earn
lower income and hence are unable to fulfill their basic needs, to construct or mange their own
houses. This creates another housing problem in the area.
People need to change their residence. Their movement often related to stage of family life
cycle such as marriage or having new born children. During this time the families seek large
dwelling unit with more rooms. But the economy of most less developed countries doesn’t
permit this.
So, the outcomes are wide spread over crowding and growth of slums and squatter settlements.
To sum up, unplanned and unorganized population mobility aggravate the housing shortage in
most urban centers particularly in most third world countries where construction rate of new
housing units is very low.
2.13. Housing market
In housing market the price of housing units is determined by both its physical structure and
neighborhood characteristics. The demand and supply of housing units with main trained
quality govern the overall housing market.

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2.14. Housing Demand
Different households need different housing units based on their economic level and family size
Cadwallader (1998) identified three major factors that determine the demand for housing as
follows:-
i. The overall demographic structure of population: The pressure on housing resources is
especially severe when a large proportion of the population is concentrated within the age
group between 30 and 40. Because at this ages the household size becomes large and
ii. The demand of housing is also significantly influenced by availability of credit and
associated interest services.
2.15. Housing Supply
As to Carter (1995) land owners, developers and builders get profit from housing greatly by
responding to demand. The supply of housing highly leads to its demand. Cadwallader (1996). Still
states three factors, which can influence supply of housing:-
I. Activity of private developers- the supply of housing does not belong to governments
along but also private developers have their own role. These developers are expected to
build better supply of housing units;
II. Availability of cheap credit- construction of housing units either by households
themselves or by other private organizations requires lager amount of capital. Thus the
builders need to borrow this money from banks or other organizations. In this case, cheap
credit highly attracts them and stimulates to build residential house
III. The role of the government: The government should design polices which encourage
private organizations. It should also provide public house for low income groups who are
unable to construct their own houses or to rent from investors.

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2.16. Housing Tenure
Housing tenure to Logie (1978) refers to the ownership of housing units. There can be found
public housing units that are owned and managed by some public authority and private housing
units which are privately owned by individual housing associations. There can also be found
another group of housing units as private and rented housing units. Private housing units are those
constructed or bought by dwellers. Rented housing units on the other hand, are obtained through
rent term from municipal administration, government association, building agencies, private
individual or from non-government organization.
Currently in most developing countries there is a tendency to improve slums by self help schemes
as stated as follows:
Recently emphasis has been given to the view that most low- income urban residents are
resourceful and it given encouragement and security of tenure they will improve their home by self
help process. Governments can help by providing basic amenities, economic opportunities and
social services (Homby and Jones, 1991-92).

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CHAPTER THREE
Research Design and Methodology
Introduction
This research presented the crux part of the whole processes of the study methods that was used as
road map. The main point of discussion in this section includes research approach, method and
sample design, and source of data, tools of data collection and method of analysis.
3.1.Description of the Study Area
Aleta Wondo town is found in the southern nation, nationalities and peoples regional state
/SNNPRS/, located at about 337 km south of Addis Ababa and about 64 km south east of the
regional capital Hawassa,
In the global grid it lies approximately at 6˚ 36’ 10“N. and 38˚ 25’ 22“E. Aleta Wondo has a town
administrative status. The town is situated along Negele Borena main road which passes separating
the town in to two parts to west and east (NUPI, 2002). For administrative purpose the town is
divided to three Kebeles namely Cheffe, Mesalemiya and Deela. The town is adjoined by Gidibo-
Shaichucha kebele peasant administration in the north and north east, Bultumo in the east, Wotto
in the south east, Tittira in the south west and Belesto in the west. These kebele peasant
administration units are densely populated and depend up on perennial (cash) crops mainly Coffee
plantation for their livelihood, which has hindered the physical expansion of the town for decades
and it will continue as central issue in the preparation and implantation of the development plan
(Ibd).
3.1.1. Topography
The topography of Aleta Wondo town is characterized by rugged terrain, as it comprises diverse
land forms including pocket depressions, dissected stream valleys and hills. The altitude of the
town ranges from 1910 meters in the north to 1990 meters on top of a hill found in the east. Hence,
average elevation is about 1950 meters, while the altitudinal difference is about 80 meters.
Generally, altitude declines as one proceeds from central part of the town towards the periphery
(NUPI, 2002).

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To sum up, the nature of the terrain i.e the foot Garbicho mountain in the east and areas dissected
by Tercha and Melebo rivers with their associated swampy depressions and pocket area with a
gradient of over 20 present that lies Just in the south western corner of the town has always been a
major drawback of the development of urban physical infrastructure.
3.1.2. Climate
Climatic elements particularly temperature, rainfall, wind and humidity have a central importance
in urban planning, since they have a direct implication up on the housing condition
A. Temperature
Aleta Wondo town experiences sub tropical (weina dega) type of climatic condition as inferred
from its altitude. The assessment made from earlier meteorological records testifies that the mean
annual temperature of the town is about 17˚C. Mean annual variation of temperature is very low.
i.e. less than 2˚C.
The highest temperature occurs before the onset and after the recession of the rainy season. The
lowest noon sun angle in the town is never 59˚C54’ even in December,21st when the sun is located
in its furthest southern point (NUPI, 2002).
B. Rain Fall
According to meteorological data station of Hawassa town, the town receives a mean annual
rainfall of about 1551 mm. The seasonal distribution of rainfall justifies a bi-modal type. Spring
and summer are recognized as the two rainy seasons, which accounted for 36 percent and 28
percent of the total annual rain full received respectively. The remaining 36% occurs in autumn
and winter. Analysis made based on rain fall coefficient also reveals there are eight continuous
rainy months extending from March to October with a distinct four dry months. The months of November,
December, January and February belong to a day period of the year. The ‘’big rains’’ occur from
March to May with moderate concentration, while month of September and October belongs to
small rain period. The magnitude of rainfall variability is also investigated employing 10 years
data (1994-2004). Based on this, rainfall variability of Aleta Wondo town is about 29 percent. This
confirms that rainfall in the town is 71 percent reliable. The reliability of rain fall in the town
intern had a big impact on the intra-urban transportation. This is mainly attributed to the smallness
of the size of

19
the town, filthy road physical condition, the ruggedness of the terrain and the absence of pedestrian
ways and trails.
C. Wind
Meteorological records referring to wind was not obtained. To fill this gap the concerned bodies
i.e.; experts from the ‘woreda’ agricultural office and other informants were consulted.
Accordingly, the prevailing winds in the town are most likely the north easterly and easterlies,
hence, pollutant urban activities are recommended to maintain (occupy) the location down to those
winds (Ibd).
3.1.3. Foundation and Growth of the Town of Aleta Wondo
On December 20, 1916, Check point (kela) was established at what is today Aleta Wondo town,
particularly at a site which is commonly known by the citizens of the town Mesalemiya.
Dejazmach Assefa established that ‘kela’ so as to collect tax from the caravan traders who used to
travel either to Addis Ababa or Borena. According to an informant, a load of four pack animals of
coffee were taxed one birr and a certain Wawote Siraj and his aid Ato Jodo were put in charge of
collecting the tax. The informant farther notes that every day between 40 to 60, pack animals were
passing via the ‘kela’ loaded with various commodities, mainly coffee and hides (NUPI, 1991).
The establishment of the ‘kela’ is believed to be the genesis behind the foundation of the town as
settlements developed around it. Moreover, a store was also established at a site were the bus
terminal is located today. According to Tsige the government established that store for the storage
of agricultural products that were collected in the form of tax from the peasants. The informant
farther notes that every peasant was supposed to pay a tenth of his agricultural product in the form
of tax. On the contrary, however, Hankemo argues that the store was established in about 1935 as
storage of logistics for government troops who then were organized to march against the fascist
aggressors. Whatever is the case, the establishment of the ‘kela’ as well as the store eventually
resulted in the foundation of the town (Ibd).
In the meantime a market was also established in the town in about 1927 and this did also
stimulate the development of the town. According to informants, during the governorship of Ras
Birru (1920s) the market that had merely been at Gure (about 5 kms south of the town) was
transferred to the present town. Though the market was later transferred back to its former site;

20
during the governorship of ras Desta Damitew (1930-53) a back street (guilt) market was
established at chafe area which is the swampy section of the urbanization process.
In 1936 the Italian troops entered the town from the direction of Negele. The Italians established
their camp in the town particularly in the north and west of the main road that bisects the town.
In the study area on the other hand, people were obliged to settle at the swampy area of chafe.
During the Italian period (1936-41) the town experienced some innovations because urban services
have begun to appear since this time. It was also during this period that motorized vehicles were
seen in the time of the Italian occupation.
3.1.4.Demographic and Socio –Economic Back ground
3.1.4.1.Demographic Back ground
The population of Aleta wondo was 10489, 11321 and 13, 617, 22504 in 1984, 1994, 2002 and
2007 respectively. Population grew exponentially at the rate of 0.8 percent between 1984 and 1994
and 2.4 percent between 1994 and 2002 (OPHC, 1990; OPHC, 1995; NUPI, 2002). There are a
number of estimates made by the then Central Statistical Office (CSO) that is found inconsistent
with the1984 and 1994 censuses. For example, the office had estimated the population of Aleta
wondo as 10,510 in 1974, while, after ten years, the 1984 census put it as 10,489. An estimate in
1980 by CSO had also inflated the population in to 14331.This has not yet been reached in 2003.
In view of this, therefore, this report is preferred to rely on the trend observed in the 1984 and 1994
censuses and census conducted by NUPI in the year (2002) as well as the 2007 census.
Table 3.1.4. Growth rate in percent of the population of Aleta Wondo
Year population Population Growth rate in percent
1984 10489 0.8
1994 11321 1.5
2002 13617 2.4
2007 22504 2.6
Source: NUPI, 2002; CSA, 1984, 1994 and 2007

21
In 1984 the total population of the town was 10, 489 and slightly increased and reached 11,321 in
1994, growing at a rate of less than a percent (0.8 percent) (Table 1.7.4.1.1). After eight years
however, population growth has reached at 13617, in 2002 growing at the rate of 2.4 percent.
It was only in 1984 and 2002 that the proportion of female exceeded that of males. A sex ratio was
104.4 and 101.5 respectively. In 2002, the total number of population in the town is 13,617 and the
total number of household was 2,486 with an average size of 5.5. Similarly, the number of housing
unit is 2,476 where as people living per housing unit was found to be 5.5 (NUPI, 2002).
Table 3.1.4.1.2. Distribution of population by sex and year, Aleta Wondo
Year Male Female Total Sex Ratio
1984 5209 5280 10489 98.7
1994 5781 5540 11321 104.4
2002 6859 6757 13617 101.5
2007 10982 11522 22504 95.3
Source: OPHC, 1990; OPHC, 1995; NUPI, 2002; CS A, 2007
During 2007, the total number of population in the town was 22504, out of which 48.8 percent
were male and 51.2 percent were females (CSA, 2007). Currently as unpublished data source of
the town municipality total population in the town is 27489, out of which 49 percent are male and
51 percent are females. The population is grouped under 5753 households implying an average
size of 4.8. Similarly, the number of housing unit is 4757 and the average number of person per
housing unit is calculated to be 5.7. The average households per housing unit are 1.2.
3.1.4.2. Economic Activity and Social Service
Aleta Wondo town is known for its commercial activities. Large part of the dwellers engaged in
business activities.
3.1.4.2.1. Education and Health
It is the basic social services and has a paramount importance, because educated society thrives to
keep his environment clean, control disease transmission, keep sanitation and realize health of

22
society. At the time of survey four kindergarten, three primary schools and one high school were
available. There are four pharmacies and two clinics. Concerning education and health services it
is insufficient when compared with the population of the kebele as well as the surrounding areas.
3.1.4.2.2. Religion and Idir
Religion and idir are one of social institutions run by local communities to rehabilitate spiritual
health and help each other when problem i.e. death, accident, etc. occur among members and their
family members. Hence, in the study area four religion sects i.e. Orthodox, Muslims, Protestants
and Adventist are operating in the town. There are one Orthodox and three protestant churches,
two Muslim mosques as well as many idir available in the two ‘kebeles’.
Generally in Aleta Wondo town the population is grouped under household has been increasing
from time to time in excess of to the housing supply. The average number of person per housing
unit in the year 2000 was 5 and it has been reached to 5.8 at the time of survey which is the
concern of this study.
3.1.4.2.3. Governance system of the town
For the purpose of political administration, Aleta Wondo town is divided in to three kebeles;
namely Cheffe, Mesalemiya and Deela. The municipality of Aleta Wondo town is accountable for
town administration which is governed by Mayor.

23
Fig 3.1. The Geographical Location of Aleta Wondo
Source: NUPI, 2004

24
3.2.Research Methodology
3.2.1. Research Design:
Designing a research is making a road map to a study which leads all functions and step under
taken. Kothari (2002) defines research design as the conceptual structure with in which research is
conducted. It consists the blue print for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. It is also a
strategy of describing procedures about sample size, data sources, means of collection and method
of data processing, analyzing and presenting based on available time and resources.
3.2.2. Research Approach:
The study applied both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to describe housing
conditions for the purpose of generating reliable data for the study.
3.2.3. Research Methods:
To attain the objectives of the study and to answer basic questions, the study used a combination of
qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, concurrently permitting a triangulation
research design.
This study employed a descriptive research. The researcher chooses the descriptive research
because it was low cost and often involved the description of the extent of association between two
or more variables.
3.2.4. Sampling and Survey Design
There are 3,170 housing units in kebele Cheffe and Deela where the study conducted. Among
these 1,648 housing units are found in kebele Cheffe and 1,522 housing units in ‘kebele’ Deela.
The sample size was determined to be 158 (i.e. about 5 percent of each group) and suggested to be
manageable size and give fair representation of the threshold population. It was also found that 643
and 654 housing units were rented in ‘kebele’ Cheffe and Deela respectively. Of 643 housing units
411 and 232 were obtained through rent term in kebele Cheffe from kebele and private household
respectively. And of 654 housing units which were found in kebel Deela, 412 and 242 were
obtained through rent term from ‘kebele’ and private household respectively. The rest of housing
units in each ‘kebele’ were occupied by the private owners which were constructed or bought by

25
dwellers. Therefore, in order to identify the 158 housing units, stratified random sampling method
was applied for each ‘kebele’ according to the respective tenure structures.
Accordingly, 82 housing units in kebele Cheffe of which 32 were rented and 50 were owner
occupied were randomly selected. On the other hand, 76 housing units in ‘kebele’ Deela with 33
rented and 43 owners occupied were randomly picked to represent the remaining housing units.
Of 32 rented housing units which were found in cheffe ‘kebele’ 20 and 12 were obtained through
rent term from ‘kebele’ and private households respectively. And of 33 rented housing units which
were found in Della ‘kebele’ 21 and 12 were obtained through rent term from ‘kebele’ and private
households respectively.
After determining the numbers taken from each stratum it was employed simple random sampling
to select the specific sample subject /households/ which was done systematically using household
lists obtained from ‘kebele’ office or using the written code on the doors of household’s housing
units.
It is obvious that getting income information of respondents is very difficult especially in Third
world nations. In addition the problem become complex in case of people who are daily workers
because of lack of uniformity of their monthly income. Nevertheless, in this research the monthly
income of the respondents who were engaged in daily work is determined by taking their weekly
income and changing to monthly income.
3.2.5. Source of data and method of data collection
In order to obtain reliable information for this study both primary and secondary sources of data
have been employed. The primary data were gathered through the use of questionnaires (open-
ended and closed ended), interview (structured, semi-structured and unstructured) & direct
observation. Secondary data which gathered through relevant books, previous research reports,
websites, unpublished materials and other related documents were also been collected from
national urban planning institutions and statistical report of 1984,1994 and 2007 population and
housing censuses.

26
3.2.6. Method of Data Analysis
The collected data have been analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative
data (information gathered through closed-ended questionnaires and structured interview) have
been analyzed using descriptive statistics- frequency, percentage, averages, ranges and
summarized in a form of tables, graphs, charts etc. The data collected through direct observation,
unstructured interviews and open-ended questionnaires have been analyzed qualitatively. To give
visual impression of the study, area map was also be included and was used to keep a visual
document of the existing situations to substantiate some of the analysis and presentations.

27
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Housing Conditions
The Urban Land and Tenurship Proclamation of July 1975 brought radical change on the housing
condition of Aleta Wondo town. By this proclamation 1191 housing units were nationalized and of
these 1002 were put under ‘kebele’ administration and the rest 189 which were rented above 100
birr become under rented housing administration agency.
The 1984 population and housing census report indicates that there were 1920 housing units and
2304 households in the town of Aleta Wondo. This means 384 households had not their own
housing units and were at over burdened by finding housing units. Substandard type of housing
units constituted about 85 percent and only 13.5 percent of them were relatively modern type.
Considering tenancy level about 50 percent of the total housing units were owner occupied, 43.4
percent were rented from ‘kebele’ and 5.2 percent from other organizations. Of the total rented
housing units about 47.4 percent were rented for less than five birr.
In 1994, about 37 percent of the total housing units were occupied by owners; 34, 7 percent were
rented out by kebele and 28.3 percent from other organizations. The CSA (1996) further reports
that there were 2114 housing units and 2537 households in Aleta Wondo in 1994. This means 17
percent household hadn’t their own housing units. According to NUPI, (2002) report, there were
2493 housing units and 2992 households. In 2007 there were 4486 housing units and 4710
households in Aleta Wondo town. This means 499 and 224 households hadn’t their own housing
units in 2002 and 2007 respectively i.e. the gap between housing units and household had not
narrowed until 2007.
This in turn indicates the intensification of congestion problem of housing units in Aleta Wondo
through time.
The number of household per housing unit was found to be 1.2 and persons per housing units were
5.46. During the 1984 census housing units occupied with less than or equal to three per room
constituted for about 69 percent

28
While housing unit with equal or greater than three persons was 31 percent. As regard to number
of rooms per housing units, during the same period, 1,578 housing unit had less than or equal to
three room and 342 housing units had greater than or equal to 4 rooms. During the 1994 census on
the other hand there are a total of 2537 households and the household per housing units ratio was
1.2.
Net of the total housing unit 35.2 percent were with less than or equal to three persons and the
number of housing unit with greater than or equal to 4 person was 64.8 percent. Average person
per housing unit was 5.4. Moreover; inadequacy of housing facilities was observed in the town.
About 70.90 percent of the total housing units, for instance, had no ceiling, 37.9 percent had no
kitchen at all in the same year. During 2007 census the total number of housing units was 4486 and
the total number of households was 4710 whereas the average households per housing unit ratio
were 1.05. During the same period, as regard to number of rooms per housing units, out of 4486
housing units 3730 had less than or equal to three room and 756 housing units had greater than or
equal to 4 rooms. The total number of rooms was 10830 and the average number of rooms per
housing unit was 2.4.
As to Bureau of Work and Urban Development of Sidama Zone, Aleta Wondo’s housing problem
is becoming more serious and overcrowdedness has increased from time to time. As to CSA
(2007) described a housing units is overcrowded if it is occupied by three or more persons per
room. During the period of study the ratio of the average number of person per housing unit was
5.8. This implies the presence of over crowdedness in the area under study. Currently 1,992
housing units are needed to ease the problem. i.e. it needed area of land about 398,400m².
Furthermore, the increase of housing units in turn needed the expansion of municipal services. In
addition to this, the expansion of the town is deterred by the foot of Gerbichcho mountain in the
east and areas dissected by Tercha and Melewo rivers with their associated swampy depressions
and a pocket area with a gradient of over 20 percent that lies just in the south western corner of the
most riddling problems in the town’s prospective horizontal development. The adjoining peasant
associations are densely settled and depend upon perennials (cash crops) like coffee for their
livelihood. During the full implementation of the development plan about 8613 peasants are
expected to be displaced. This may escalate (inflate) the social cost incurred and capital out lay

29
required for indemnity (compensation) which may go beyond the financial capacity of the
municipality.
As far as the housing condition is concerned, there are housing problems both in terms of quality
as well as quantity in the two ‘kebeles’ under consideration. However, elected kebele leaders has
not been ranked first the housing problem than other problems in both ‘kebele’. At present most of
dwelling units are congested, deteriorated and not properly handled. Above 90 percent of rented
houses in both ‘kebeles’ were built before the 1974/75 housing proclamation and they exist until
now without proper maintenance.
Due to this reason the number of deteriorated housing has increased. On the other hand, the
demand of housing is escalating and the gap between demand and supply of housing is becoming
wider and wider from time to time. As regards housing facilities, most of them are inadequate and
even are totally lacking. The inadequacy of sewage system and waste disposal makes residential
areas unhealthy. Furthermore, the insufficiency of municipal service makes the sanitation problem
severe particularly in ‘kebele’ Cheffe due to the presence of market ground. Internal roads are
highly eroded by running water and most of them are full of dirt and mud.
This in turn results in unattainable distribution of municipal services like ambulance, fire
protection, etc. Squatter settlements which are found in different sections of both ‘kebele’, consists
of 130 dwelling units with total population of 709 of which 340 are males and 369 are females at
the time of survey.
The physical structure of housing units is below the standard. Walls and roofs of the housing units
are constructed from plastic and baskets. Most of the housing units are single roomed. They serve
as bed room, reception room and/or kitchen. Housing facilities and public services are hardly
available. Generally most of housing units occupied by the ‘kebeles’ have been deteriorating. They
are unhealthy and lacking basic housing facilities. Housing units in turn needed the expansion of
municipal services.

30
Table 4.1.1 Summary of the fact of housing conditions with the ratio of number of housing units,
number of households and number of rooms
Cens
us
year
Total
pop.
Number
of HUs
Number
of HHs
HHs without
housing units
Ratio of
HHs per
housing
units
Ratio of
persons
per
housing
unit
Number of rooms
No. % ≤ 3 ≥ 4
No. % No. %
1984 10489 1920 2304 384 17 1.2 5.46 1,578 82 342 18
1994 11,321 2114 2537 423 17 1.2 5.35 1733 82 380 18
2002 13,617 2493 2992 499 16.7 1.2 5.5 2019 81 474 19
2007 22,504 4486 4710 224 4.8 1.05 5.02 3730 83.14 756 16.85
2012/13 27,489 4757 5753 996 17.3 1.21 5.77 4091 86 666 14
Source:- CSA 1984,1994,2007; NUPI,2002; unpublished record of Aleta wondo Town,
2012/13
4.2. Social and Demographic Characteristics of the Household Heads.
Knowing demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents is very helpful for
any study particularly housing. Because by using such information we can identify and assess the
causes and extent of the problem.
4.2.1. Age-Sex Distribution of the Respondents
The age structure of a given population impacts on demand and size of the housing units. As can
be observed from Table 4.1 about 68 percent of the respondent household heads were male and
32.27 percent were females.

31
Table 4.1: Age-sex Distribution of the respondents
Age group Sex Total
Male Female
No % No %
20-30 19 17.76 14 27.45 33 20.89
31-40 30 28.04 19 37.25 49 31.01
41-50 32 29.91 14 27.45 46 29.11
51-60 5 4.67 2 3.92 7 4.43
61-70 14 13.08 - - 14 8.86
71-80 7 6.54 2 3.92 9 5.70
Total 107 100.00 51 100.00 158 100.00
Source: Field survey data, 2012/13
As indicated on table 4.1, 60.12 percent of the respondents were found in the age group between
31 and 50 years. As mentioned earlier the pressure on housing becomes sever when a large
proportion of population concentrated with in age group between 30 and 50 years because the need
of housing is increased due to extended household size. From this, therefore, the need for housing
of the sample population is high.

32
4.2.2. Marital Status of the Respondents
As we have seen earlier, the cycle of the family has its own impact on demand for housing. Even
in a married group the length of marriage has effect and the newly married couples have their own
private housing demand which can accommodate their newly coming children.
Table 4.2: Distribution of Respondents by marital status
Marital Status Frequency Percent.
Married 95 60.13
Single 22 13.92
Divorced 16 10.13
Widowed 25 15.82
Total 158 100.00
Source: Field Survey Data, 2012/13
Table 4.2 shows that about 60.12 percent of the respondents were married and 15.82 percent were
widowed. The rest about 24 percent were either single or divorced. As to table 4.1, majority of
household are males and most of them are found at middle age. Due to this reason, large number of
the respondent was married. Single respondent, (about 13.92%) and divorced (10.13%) may have
farther implication of the increasing demand for housing.
4.2.3. Educational Status of Respondents.
Educational status of society is helpful to analyze the general condition of housing like sanitation,
family size, housing facilities, etc. As can be seen from Table 4.3 about 13.29 percent of
respondents are found to be illiterate and, those with basic education (1-8 grade level) constituted
equal in percent with that of illiterate group.
Generally, the sum of the percentage of these three groups (illiterate, basic education and grade1-
8) about 40 percent. One may infer that considerable group of the respondents could be passive
about the criticality of the problem and finding or proposing possible solution.

33
Larger group of respondents 41.14 percent were found from 9-10 grade level and about 19 percent
above 10 grade levels. Generally for the seriousness of the problem in the area, low educational
level of the respondents has had significant contribution.
Table 4.3: Distribution of Respondents by Educational Status
Level of education Number Percent
Illiterate 21 13.29
Basic Education 21 13.29
1-8 grades 21 13.29
9-10 grades 65 41.14
Above 10 grades 30 18.99
Total 158 100.00
4.2.4. Place of Origin
Rural-urban migrations are the largest source of overcrowding of people in urban areas. The
movement of people from rural to urban areas, particularly in developing countries such as
Ethiopia, has great impact on the existing infrastructures and public amenities. Accordingly, about
54.43 percent of the respondents have come to Aleta Wondo and were born in other areas. Implies
that about 54 percent. of growth rate of the population of the town is due to migration.
Nevertheless, most of these in-migrants were from the surrounding rural areas. In addition one has
to observe among the respondents the fact that about (81) percent of those who were born outside
Aleta Wondo were living in rented housing of the time of the survey.
Table 4.4: Distribution of the Respondents by Place of Origin
Place of birth Frequency Percent
Aleta Wondo 72 45.57
Outside Aleta Wondo Surrounding rural area 44 27.85
Other area 42 26.58
Total 158 100.00

34
4.2.5. Occupational Characteristics.
It is found that about (43) percent of the respondents were government and non government
employees. While 41.8 percent of the respondents were self employed or private daily workers
who engaged in variety of activities and earn their wages on daily bases. This constituted about (6)
percent. Moreover, 10.29 percent of the respondents lived with pension fee. Therefore, there is a
considerable percentage of groups who earn low income in the area under study (see Fig 4.1).
They lived in substandard housing units.
Fig. 4.1. Distribution of the Respondents by Occupational Category
4.2.6 Income Level
Incomes of the household and their housing condition have direct relation. Income governs the
housing demand of households. It is obtained from the survey that about (47) percent of the
respondents earned less than 1000 birr per month. The great majority of the respondents were at
the lower income group. Their numbers also decrease towards the higher income groups
(see table 4.5).
5.8% Daily Workers
10.2% pension
41.8% self employee
42.65%
Government & non-government employees

35
Table 4.5. Distribution of Respondents by monthly income
Monthly income (birr) Number Percent
< 800 39 24.68
801 – 1000 35 22.15
1001 – 1200 28 17.72
1200 – 1400 32 20.25
1400+ 24 15.19
Total 158 100.00
4.3 Physical Characteristics of the Housing Units
The predominant types of material used for construction of dwellings have an important Bearing
for setting up the standard of housing units. They are also helpful to determine the quality and
duration of housing units.
Table 4.6. Distribution of dwellings by type of construction materials
S. no Section of the housing
unit
Construction material No Percent
1 Wall
Wood & mud
Plastered hallow blocks
Stone and cement
Corrugated iron
Wood only
92
5
20
9
32
58.23
3.16
12.66
5.70
20.25
Total 158 100.00
2 Roof
Corrugated iron
Concrete or cement
others
153
3
2
96.84
1.9
1.27
total 158 100.00
3 Floor
Earthen /mud/
Wood planks
Cement screed ceramic marble tiles
Others
98
27
17
16
62.02
17.08
10.79
10.11
Total 158 100.00

36
As can be seen from Table 4.6 the wall of about (58.23%) of the housing units were constructed
from wood and mud followed by stone and cements which accounted for 12.66 percent of total
housing units, corrugated iron also constitute about 6 percent. In the case of roof, larger group,
about 97 percent of dwelling units have had corrugated roof. There is only about 2 percent of
housing units with concrete or cement floors. The rest, about 1 percent were constructed from local
materials. Earthen /mud/ floor housing units accounted for constitute largest Proportion (about 62
percents), where as wood planks and cement screed housing units were about 17.08 percent and
10.79 percents respectively. Ceramic marble constituted only 10.79 percent and the rest about 10
percent were constructed by other local materials like reed bamboo.
All these show that, most of the existed housing units were the substandard type of housing units
and they may have adverse impacts on health of the residents. Because the wood and mud walls
and earthen floors may become breeding place of rats (mousses) and other insects which can
transmit diseases. The dusts from the floor also become source of diseases particularly for
children.

37
fig. 4.2
Photographs on the right showing the
Substandard housing units found in
Cheffe and Deela kebeles respectively;
due to lack of maintenance service
Either by Kebele or households
themselves. The problem is directed to
economic problem as the researcher
interviewed the owners of the houses;
Mamitu Taye in Cheffe Kebele
and Sherif Mahamed in Deela Kebles
Deela Kebele
Source: field survey, 2012/13
Cheffe Kebele

38
4.4 Purpose of the Housing Units
In developed countries the purpose of housing units is clearly identified. While in developing
countries it is difficult to clearly identify housing unit based on purpose. Due to shortage of
housing units, people use their dwelling units for different purposes, like for commercial activities,
shopping, petty trade, health centers, selling local drinks etc. Accordingly, as can be observed from
Table. 4.7 about 44 percent of the housing units of the respondents were used for both business and
residential purpose. This has its own problems like congestion and disturbances in the residential
units. In kebele Cheffe, about 65 percent out of 82 housing units are used for both business and
residence. While the proportion is relatively low in kebele Deela, the presence of market place in
kebele Cheffe may be accounted for more use of housing units both for residence and business.
Table 4.7. Distribution of housing units by purpose
Purpose of housing units Number Total
Kebele
Cheffe
Kebele
Deela
No % No % No %
Residence only
Both residence & commercial
29
53
35.37
64.63
60
16
78.95
21.05
89
69
56.33
43.67
Total 82 100.00 76 100.00 158 100.00
4.5 Tenure Structure
The tenure structure of housing units is highly governed by their standard, type, location,
accessibility to social service as well as the physical structure. As a result the cost of housing units
in central parts of the towns in developing countries in particular, is higher than those that are
found in peripheral parts.
According to CSA 2007, in Aleta Wondo town there were 4486 housing units. Out of these,
1, 946 (43.4%) were owner occupied, 358 (8%) were rent free, 740 (16%) were rented out by
kebele, 49 (1%) were rented out by other organization, 1,383 (31%) were rented out by private
holders and 10 ( 0.2%) were occupied difference rent.
This shows that only about 43 percent of the dwelling units were owner occupied and the rest (56
percent) were rented out.

39
Table 4. 8. Distribution of housing unit by type of tenure
Geographical area Sample
Units
total
Type of tenure
Owner occupied Rented
From Kebele Private
households
Number % Number % Number %
Cheffe 82 50 53.76 20 24.39 12 14.63
Deela 76 43 46.27 21 27.6 12 15.78
Both 158 93 58.86 41 25.94 24 15.18
As can be seen from Table 4.8, about 42 Percent of the dwelling unit were living in rented housing
unites either from Kebele office or private households. This shows that the existence of high
demand pressures of owner occupied housing unit for residence in the area understudy. Because
the rent of housing units is not affordable for low income earners.
Table 4. 9. Distribution of dwellings by Monthly Rent
Rent in Birr Frequency Total
Kebele
Cheffe
Kebele
Deela
No %
No % No %
10 – 30 52 63.41 50 65.79 102 64.56
30 – 60 12 14.63 11 14.47 23 14.56
60 – 90 10 12.2 9 11.84 19 12.02
90+ 8 9.76 6 7.89 14 8.86
Total 82 100.00 76 100.00 158 100.00
Source: field survey data, 2012/13
As can be seen form Table 4.9 the amount a house rent collected from the dwellers appear very
low. Over half (about 63.4 percent) of the respondents pay less than 30 birr per mouth and only 8
percent pay over 90 birr per month (see Table 4.9). Therefore, this low amount of rent may
indicate the low purchasing power and hence low standard of housing units and lower standard of
living of dwellers. Table 4.10 strengthens this idea. Out of 65 respondents who live in rented
housing, 20 households earn below 800 birr per month. Whereas out of 93 owners occupied

40
respondents only 10 households earn below 800 birr per month. As we can observe from the Table,
4.10 the number of households in rented houses goes decreasing when the monthly income birr
increases, while in case of owner occupied houses, number of households increase as the monthly
income increases
Table 4.10 Distribution of respondents by monthly income
Monthly
income (birr)
Frequency Percent
Rented house Owner occupied
house
Total
<800 20 10 30 19
801 – 1000 16 12 28 18
1001 – 1200 14 17 31 20
1201 -1400 10 25 35 22.15
1400+ 5 29 34 21.51
Total 65 93 158 100.00
Source: Field Survey , 2012/13
4.6 Level of Occupancy
As discussed previously the level of density seriously affects the quality of housing units. Data
presented in Table 4.11 reveal that households who live in one and two room housing units
constitute over 47 percent of the total housing units in the area under consideration.
Thus, beyond the physical unfitness, the number of rooms in the sample dwellings is found to be
too insufficient in the studied kebeles. 76% of owner occupied housing units are found relatively in
a better condition which have greater than or equal to 3 rooms. Whereas about 66% of rented
houses have one or two rooms.
According to UN (1974) a dwelling unit with more than two persons per room can be regarded as
crowded. In the case of Ethiopia, CSA (1994) described a housing unit as overcrowded if it is
occupied by three or more persons. So, based on these most of the sample housing units can be
regarded as overcrowded.

41
Table 4.11. Distribution of housing units by number of rooms and average number of rooms
per housing unit
Number
of rooms
Frequency Total number of
housing unit
Total
number
of rooms
Average number
of rooms per
housing units
Owner occupied
house
Rented house
No % No % No %
1 12 12.9 24 36.92 36 22.78 36 1
2 20 21.5 19 29.23 39 24.68 78 2
3 13 13.97 15 23.07 28 17.72 84 3
4 13 13.97 5 7.69 18 11.39 72 4
5 11 11.82 2 3.07 13 8.22 65 5
6 10 10.75 - - 10 6.32 60 6
7 8 8.6 - - 8 5.06 56 7
8 or above 6 6.45 - - 6 3.79 48 8
Total 93 100.00 65 100.00 158 100.00 499 3.2
The comparison between number of rooms and number of persons is the basis for elaboration of
overcrowding matrix. It allows dividing the housing units in to under occupied, adequately
occupied, and overcrowded.
The average household size of the respondents was 4.8 and number of rooms per household on
average was about 3. That means only 3 rooms are available on average for each household with
size of 4.8. In addition, to generate additional income, people used to rent their housing units to
other ‘Debals’ (co-dweller). From Table 4.12 we can observe that about 60 respondents were
found to have co-dweller ranging from one to five in their housing units. These households share
rooms with their co-dwellers and it is the manifestation of overcrowdings problem in the study
area. This is also another reflection of problems of housing in the kebele under study.

42
Table 4.12 Distribution of the respondents by co-dwellers
Co-dweller Number of respondents who have co-
dweller
Percent
1 30 19
2 13 8.2
3 6 4
4 6 4
5 5 3
0 98 62
Total 158 100.00
Generally in the kebele under consideration most of housing units are found to be poorly
constructed and over crowded thereby becoming detrimental to safety and health.
4.7 Housing Facilities
The availability of housing facilities in housing units is one of the measures of the quality of
housing units. Housing facilities can also reflect the living standard of the dwellers. Accordingly it
is the quality measure of housing units and living condition of the people. The degree of
availability of these facilities in the housing units under consideration presented as follows.
4.7.1. Kitchen Facilities
Kitchen is one of the basic facilities of a housing unit. It is a place where households use for
cooking food. However, due to the problems of available rooms, kitchens in many part of Ethiopia
are used as abode for some group of people in the household. Animals, in some cases are also
made to pass nights in kitchen in some parts of the country.
According to CSA, 2007 in Aleta Wondo there were 4485 housing units. Of those, 677 (15.09%)
had no kitchen at all, 480 (10.7%) had traditional kitchen inside the housing units, 480 (10.7%)
had traditional kitchen outside the housing unit, 44 (0.98%) had modern kitchen inside the housing
unit and 132(2.94%) had modern kitchen outside the housing unit. The percentage of modern
kitchen was only 4. From this, anyone can infer that the available housing units were substandard
ones.

43
Table 4.13 Distribution of Kitchen in sample Household.
C. No Kitchen
Arrangement
Frequency Total percent
Rented Owner occupied
No % No %
1 Separate private
kitchen
17 26.15 81 87.09 98 62.02
2 Separate shared
kitchen
30 46.15 - - 30 19
3 No kitchen at all 18 26.69 12 12.90 30 19
Total 65 100.00 93 100.00 158 100.00
As can be seen from Table 13, about 19 percent of total housing units under study have had no
kitchen facility at all. The dwellers thus have to cook either inside the living room or use open
space for preparing food. Still another 19 percent have to share kitchen with some other
neighboring household. Those who do not have kitchen have been facing problems during rainy
and/or high sun as well as wind time.
Still those sharing their kitchen with others may have problems of friction in space usage. Those
even having their own kitchen have indicated problems regarding availability of water, light, space
and sanitation in their kitchen as most of them are not equipped with internal facilities.
Most of the rented out housing units have had either common kitchen or they do not have kitchen
at all. The availability of kitchen is relatively promising in the case of owner occupied housing
units.
4.7.2. Water Supply
Availability of water supply in the housing units can also determine the quality of the housing
units and can reflect the living condition of respondents. Accordingly, when we compare water
supply by tenancy level about 89.2 percent of owner occupied housing units have had access to
piped water in one way or another. However, the percentage is small in the case of rented housing
units i.e. 58 percent. The rest 42 percent of rented housing units and 10.8 percent of owner

44
occupied housing units were using protected well or spring, unprotected well or spring and river
/lake/ pond. This shows that significant percentage of rented housing units receive their water
supply from well or spring. However, the percentage is relatively small in the case of owner
occupied housing units. This implies that the severity of the problem is higher in the case of rented
group. Moreover, the owner occupied dwelling units didn’t use unprotected well /spring and river/
lake/ pond at all which is detrimental to health.
Table 4.14 Distribution of housing units by source of drinking water
Source of water supply Frequency Total Percent
No % No %
Tap inside the house 2 3 5 5.37 7 4.43
Tap in com pound (private) 7 10.76 33 35.48 40 25.31
Tap in a compound (shared) 10 15.38 32 34.4 42 26.58
Tap outside compound (bono) 19 29.23 13 13.97 32 20.25
Protected well or spring 16 24.61 10 10.75 26 16.45
Un protected well or spring 7 10.76 - - 7 4.43
River/lake/ponds. 4 6.15 - - 4 2.53
Total 65 100.00 93 100.00 158 100.00

45
Fig.4.3
Photographs on the right
Showing rented group
dwellers that fetch
Water from unprotected
well or spring in both
kebeles, because as there
is no access to piped
water. This shows the
severity of the problem is
higher in the case of rented
group
Cheffe Kebele
Deela Kebele

46
4.7.3 Toilet Facility
The presence of toilet facility has great role for safety and good sanitation Absence,
inadequacy or improper usage of latrines mostly becomes the main causes of spread
of communicable diseases.
Table 4.15 Distribution of housing by toilet facilities
Type of toilet
facility
Frequency Total Percent
No % No %
Private pit latrine 27 41.53 42 45.16 69 43.67
Shared pit latrine 25 38.46 22 23.65 47 29.74
Private vip latrine 2 3.07 3 3.22 5 3.16
Public latrine 2 3.07 2 2.15 4 2.53
Private flush toilet 1 1.53 12 12.9 13 8.22
Shared flush toilet 1 1.53 11 11.82 12 7.59
No toilet at all 7 10.76 1 1.07 8 5.06
Total 65 100.00 93 100.00 158 100.00
As indicated in Table 4.15, about 5.06 percent of the respondents have no own toilet
facility at the time of survey. They use open fields or public toilets. About 40% the
respondents use common and shared pit latrine. Out of the respondents who live in own
housing units who accounted for over 38 percent do not have their own private toilet
facility. On the other hand about 54 percent of the respondents living in the rented housing
units do not have their own private toilet. These people have to use either shared or public
toilet or open fields. Those who use common pit latrine and public toilet complain about
the poor sanitation and lack of municipal service.
Those who use open field have reported health problem especially of respiratory
disease, because it pollutes their environment. The problem not only belongs to these
groups but also it affects the whole community especially children who play in those open
fields, in general, it degrades the quality of the environment.

47
Fig. 4.4
Photographs on the right
Showing public latrine which is
Substandard in Chaffe and Deela
Kebeles which are constructed
since 1980’s and with no
maintenance until now. As the
resalt of this, this public latrine
became sanitation challenges for
the people who lived in
surrounding area.
Cheffe Kebele
Deela Kebele

48
4.7.4 . Lighting
The type of lighting used in housing units can reflect the quality of housing units as
well as living condition of households.
Table 4.16 Distribution of housing units by light source
Source of light Number Percent
Electricity 157 99.4
Kerosene 36 0.6
Total 158 100.00
Traditional source of lighting such as kerosene lumps are less efficient to provide light
when compared with electricity. The people using these traditional lighting sources are
generally with lower level of socio–economic standard. Nevertheless, over 99 percent of
the respondents have access to electricity as source of lighting and others however, many
of them have complained on the ever-increasing price of electric power supply. The users
of kerosene have attributed the use of traditional lighting to ascending price of electricity.
4.8. Waste Disposal System
Waste disposal facilities are essential Element of housing unit, because the absence of it
results in environmental sanitation problem.

49
Table 4.17 Distribution of housing units by waste Disposal System
Method of waste disposal Frequency
Rented house Owner occupied Total
No % No % No %
For garbage disposal
15
22
13
15
23.07
33.84
20
23.07
12
12
49
20
12.90
12.90
52.68
21.50
27
34
62
35
17.08
21.5
39.24
22.15
Municipal service
every where
Burning
Open field, valley/ river
Total 65 100.00 93 100.00 158 100.00
For liquid waste matter
28
37
65
43.07
56.92
100.00
34
59
93
36.55
63.44
100.00
62
96
158
39.24
60.75
100.00
Tube
Open filed
Total
Table 4.17 indicated that 17.08 percent of the respondents use municipal service for waste
deposal. The rest 82.92 percent, on the other hand have no access to municipality services.
Hence, they dispose their garbage either in open field, valley and river and everywhere or
burn it (39,24 percent). In case of liquid waste matter, over half of the respondents (above
60 percent) dispose everywhere and the rest (39.24 percent) use tube. Hence observations
showed that sanitation problems appear serious and common in both kebeles under
consideration. Internal roads are full of dirt and mud causing the living condition of the
people unhealthy and very difficult.

50
Fig 4.5
Photograph on the right showing
disposed garbage in open field in
cheffe ‘kebele’ due to lack of
municipal service for solid waste
disposal which is found on internal
roads to cross from main road to
market area
Deela Kebele Cheffe Kebele
Fig 4.6
Photograph on the left revels that disposed
of liquid waste material open field there is no
developed waste disposal sewerage system
which is discharged on the way from
stadium to high school.

51
4.9. Neighborhood Characteristics
The quality of housing units can also be measured in terms of its neighborhood
characteristics. Neighborhood characteristics contain various elements ranging from
structural arrangement of the housing units which help to assess impact of the immediate
next housing units to accessibility of the area to various social services and public
amenities like schools, health station, work place, ambulances, fire protection units etc. In
addition to their location or sites, structural arrangement of housing units can be treated as
one of the important neighborhood characteristics of housing units.
Accordingly, there can be found two categories of housing units attached and detached
ones.
Two or more households are taken as living in the attached units when they share
common wall. These attached housing units are more likely to cause some sort of friction.
In addition, it is likely that privacy at household level suffers. Therefore, the attached
housing units are not as convenient as the detached housing units in many of cases. In
addition, such housing units have problems of maintenance.
However, it is observed that nearly two third of the housing units are attached ones to
one another (Table 4.18). The dwellers of such housing units often have no privacy. The
presence of such housing units in large proportion thus indicate either inability of the
occupants to construct their own private housing units or the presence of some
discouraging factors to construct their own private housing unit, or still the shortage and
problem of obtaining detached housing units.

52
Table 4.18 Structural Arrangement of Housing Units.
Structure Frequency
Rented Owner occupied Total
No % No % No %
Detached 4 6.15 49 52.68 53 32.54
Attached 61 93.84 44 47.31 105 67.45
Total 65 100.00 93 100.00 158 100.00
Table 4.18 reveals that about 94% of the rented out housing units were the attached type.
While only about 6% of the housing units were found detached . This poor structural
arrangement has led to congestion which in turn creates problems. These all can affect the
health of occupants. More than half of owner occupied housing units were detached (54%)
unlike the rented housing units.
Fig 4.7
Photograph on the right
Shows attached housing
Unit of households in
the study area. This was
observed in Chaff Keble
at the time of survey.
Terefe Duressa and
Kebebush Workene are
the owners of the houses
whose house hold size
was 5 and 7 respectively.
They complained about
their privacy seriously. Source: field survey, 2012/13

53
CHAPTER FIVE
Problems and prospects
5.1 problems
As to the survey results, many of the housing units in both kebeles under study are in
poor sanitary situation, deteriorated and uncomfortable for livings. Moreover, the
existing housing facilities and public amenities are inadequate, infrequent or totaly
absent of municipal services. This has made sanitation problem more serious. In general
housing units of both kebeles are poor in structure and highly congested. All these are
the reflection of low living standard of most of dwellers. Some of the rented out kebele
housing units were found in extremely bad condition partly due to lack of responsibility
of some of the occupants to handle properly their dwelling units and partly due to low
income of the dwellers. The kebele administration offices, and the so-called owners,
gave no or little attention for maintenance. Some of the respondents, from kebele
Cheffe, for instance, have complained of noise disturbance, pollution from kitchen and
mills which are attached with their dwelling units as well as sanitation problems of the
market areas making their living condition difficult.
The survey thus revealed the root cause of the problems as would be headed under
the following four areas.
Budget problem
The income source of both kebele administration offices is very much limited mainly to
rent collection and sale of grass. However, the collected amount in rents is only a drop
from the income of households. Due to this reason both kebeles have shortage of
income. Moreover, the officers complained that even this small amount is not collected
on time. However, most of the respondents gave much emphasis to budget problem.
This may be because less attention was given to alleviate housing problems with their
budget allocation. The amount is only two to three percent of total income in both
kebeles under consideration. Even though municipality collected revenue from taxes –
such as urban land and building taxes collected from business activities, coffee trade,

54
distribution of water supply etc., due to administrative defects budget allocation to
alleviate the mentioned problem is almost null.
Population Growth
The concentration of population in the study area is another contributing factor for the
current inadequate and deteriorated housing condition. As a result there is a wide gap
between demand and supply of the housing units in the kebeles under consideration.
Table 19 Demand and supply level of housing unit between 2002 and 20012
Year Number of houses
demanded
Number of houses
constructed
Total needed
housing units
Total constructed
housing units
Kebele Kebele In both kebeles In both kebeles
Cheffe Deela both Cheffe Deela No % No %
2002 34 27 61 10 8 43 70.5 18 29.5
2003 37 35 72 7 3 62 86.1 10 13.88
2004 40 38 78 2 2 74 94.87 4 5.12
2005 32 31 63 4 6 53 84.12 10 15.87
2006 46 44 90 2 4 84 93.3 6 6.66
2007 100 124 224 2 4 218 97.32 6 26.7
2008 300 312 612 5 9 598 97.7 14 2.28
2009 508 507 1015 15 13 987 97.24 28 2.75
2010 770 790 1560 16 18 1526 97.8 34 2.17
2011 978 982 1960 18 20 1922 98.06 38 1.9
2012 1122 1036 2158 2 8 2148 99.5 10 0.46
Total 3967 3926 7893 8 95 7715 97.74 172 2.2
Source; Compiled from unpublished records of the kebeles offices
As can be observed from Table 4.19 both kebeles have a considerable shortage of
housing units. In general only about 2.22 percent of the required amount of the housing
units was constructed between 2002 and 2012, more specifically, as shown in Table 4.
19, the gap between housing demand and supply has increased from about 40% in 2002
to as much as 89.0% in 2012. This may be partly attributable to population growth
largely due to rural-urban migration, and budget constraint to construct more housing

55
unit. As the result of the lifelong administrative defects in the area under consideration,
the housing shortage problem is aggravated by lack of or poor maintenance of housing
units
Bureaucratic Problems
Administrative defects especially in kebele offices and municipality is found to be annoying
the people who are in need of space for construction of their own private housing units. As my
own personal observation the kebele offices as well as municipality do not follow urban land
acquisition criteria and land use policy, rather they allocate the land unfairly as they wish
through defective way. So, this is found to be the most important bottle neck for those who are
in need of constructing and having their own private housing units.
Relief Structure
The relief structure of the town i.e. its mountainous nature, doesn’t create good opportunity to
minimize the housing problem. Problem of water logging in the new allocation site which is
the southern part of the town. This new site is swampy area, which is not suitable for
construction of house.
Moreover, this site lacks or has poor access to basic utilities and infrastructures such as
schools, health and transport services. In addition, the town is surrounded by mountain ranges,
which has restricted horizontal expansion of the town. Due to these problems, most of the
inhabitants of the town preferred to live concentrated in the former situation i.e down town
(older part of the town) regardless of the prevailing problems.
5.2 Prospects
As noted earlier, there is problem of infrastructure in the newly allocated areas. So as to
solve the problem, the urban counsel office of Aleta Wondo town has plan to farther develop
and expand physical infrastructures such as transportation, municipal service, schooling etc.
According to BWUD of Sidama Zone, to alleviate the problem of housing the bureau has
prepared a guideline for different House Building Association, and encourages people to come
in-group and build their houses by borrowing money from banks or other sources. The bureau
is also preparing new master plan of the town which permits to expand the town toward the
south western and western direction to Tittira and Bellesto Kebele Administration and eastern
direction towards Sheichcha (Gidibo) KPA.

56
CHAPTER SIX
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the above findings of the study, the following conclusion and recommendations are
forwarded.
6.1. Conclusion
The main objective of this study was to explore housing conditions and associated problems in
kebele Cheffe and Deela of the town of Aleta Wondo. To achieve this objective 158 households
and 8 kebele officers and bureau of work and urban development officials of the town were
involved in questionnaire and interview respectively. The result showed that the issues of housing
condition have been a longstanding and deep rooted problem in Aleta Wondo town. An acute
shortage of housing units has existed in the town of Aleta wondo. The problem is not only shortage
of housing units and inadequacy of housing faculties, but also the existing housing units are
deteriorated and need immediate maintenance.
Housing facility is one of conditions of the overall socio-economic development of every
country, and it has significant economic, social and political bearings. The impact of housing is
multidimensional on the labor power, on the psychological and physical well being of dwellers, on
the interaction of family members and their neighbors, etc.
However, at present the main problem in many part of the world including Ethiopia and the study
area in specific is the issue of housing. Slums and squatter settlements expand from time to time
and become common features particularly of developing countries. Ethiopia is not exception to the
problem. This general problem is particularly true in Aleta Wondo.
Acute shortage of housing units exists in the studied areas, there has not been a sufficient
dwelling unit for the people. The result of this situation is an overcrowding on existing dwellings
because people use one housing unit for three or more households. This in turn resulted in problem
of congestion and health hazards. The problem of the studied kebeles is not only quantity but also
quality. As mentioned before the concept of the housing facilities such as kitchen, toilet, water
supply, garbage disposal, and public amenities like schools, health centers etc. on the basis of this,
majority of households in the studied kebeles are living in substandard dwelling units that are often
with insufficient housing facilities and little or no access to public services.

57
Most of the housing units (about 48 percent) are nearly one or two-roomed structure and they are
made of wood and mud (about 78.5 percent). Moreover, majority of them are poorly maintained.
Hence, they are responsible for deteriorating and poor quality of houses.
In addition to the need of additional housing units, the available housing units need immediate
maintenance.
The low per capita income of the respondents together with their low educational level makes the
problem complex. A very large percentage of rented out houses are found in bad condition and
need a lot of repair bill. On the other hand, the dwellers have given the responsibility totally to the
governments.
Congestion and sanitation problems are also the main challenges of the area and seriously affect
the people.
The number of people is much greater than the existing infrastructures. So, this over crowding
problem has led to sanitation problem. This is mainly caused by lack of latrines (about 8 percent of
housing units) and lack of disposal system (about 82.92 percent).
The analysis showed that about 97 percent of the housing units in the studied area of the town are
roofed by corrugated iron. While, 2 percent by other local materials like thatch. Corrugated iron
may not last long because of rust. Moreover, it is not friendly as its resistance to weather variation
is poor; too hot during dry seasons and cold during winter.
The other indicator of poor housing is the material used in the construction of the floor. About 62
percent of the housing units have had a floor of mud. This type of floor has a negative impact on
the health of the residents. The primary victims are infants and children who are exposed to
continuous risk of contracting respiratory infections of dust related diseases.
An improvement in the quality of housing, water, sanitation and drainage not only reduces the
prevalence of disease but also makes life more pleasant. This is especially very crucial for women
who are responsible for looking after children and for managing households. In the case of the
studied area only 52 percent of the total housing units have access to piped water with in the
compound they live in, while access to tap water inside house is found to be only 4 percent. With
regard to source of light, still there are about 1 percent housing units have no access to electricity
powered lighting. These housing units use kerosene lamps. The households suffer from the smokes
that come out from the kerosene lamps.

58
In summary, the housing situation in the study area is, therefore poor and, disappointing, most of
the housing units are congested and deteriorated. Hence many in habitant of the town do not have
access to a due housing utility. The local authorities appear incapable of providing sufficient
municipal services.

59
6.2. Recommendation
By considering the analysis results on the available housing conditions and the suggestion
of most of the dwellers, some important points are suggested that may be helpful to
minimize the problem.
1. Before constructing additional housing units, first the available housing units should be
handled properly. So, the government and other concerned bodies should educate the
people to develop responsibility and consider their rented houses as their own and give
appropriate maintenance.
2. Since the concept of housing is complete only when the necessary facilities are full
filled, the concerned body should prepare such necessary services and
infrastructures.
3. The municipality has to distribute enough number of garbage cans and lorries at
appropriate sites and at shorter distance for the dwellers, and the road and surrounding
areas should be regularly cleaned and maintained
4. Government housing policies should encourage private construction by avoiding
unnecessary primary criteria and by preparing building materials in relatively low cost.
5. It is advisable to construct public house or low-cost houses by the government since
most of the people are found in low income group
6. Another alternative could be vertical growth of the town by constricting condominium
houses so as to alleviate the problem of horizontal expansion.
7. Integration and coordination between government and NGOS as wells among different
NGOs should be required in order to maximize their effort of solving the problem of
low -income households in the town, by providing credit, promoting efficient use of
resources and providing training.
8. Improve access to schools to local community or provide continuous orientation to the
inhabitants particularly to elderly people about housing situation. Because it is lack of

60
education that contributed to fail to keeps the environment sanitation, which is associated with
substandard housing conditions.
9. Family planning and family support programs should be reinforced for the creation of enabling
environments for families to adjust family size with housing units
10. Future need is determined by the population increase with regard to rooms and by the increase
in families with regards to housing units. So regarding demand two types of measures can be
taken:
a. Increase public housing supplies to provide cheap housing or low cost housing for
the more needy sector of the population by constructing housing units by kebeles or
municipality
b. A policy of substantially subsidized loans to buy or construct new housing units
11. To get public land which is found in Tittira KPA with low compensation, it needs discussion
with local elders so as to negotiate them and intern they negotiate the society.
12. Shortage of financial resources is one of the main problems for the kebeles as well as
municipality not to provide efficient service in housing conditions. But in reality if they
provide enough service to the residents, they can easily raise their financial capacity by
collecting huge amount of money from customers.
13. The municipality has to work on awareness creation programs among the community.
14. The follow up of the municipality to housing condition was not promoting. Even the amount of
budget used for housing construction as well as maintenance is insignificant or null. Hence
measures must be taken in these observable gaps to improve the services.
15. In general advance planning in housing is very important. So, preparation and evaluation of
such plans or programs needs an adequate statistical data on housing quality and quantity and
population growth. In the absence of a workable urban planning, urban growth will result in
slum areas. Therefore, the municipality should have plan of in housing so as to get ahead
information of the gap.

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