Discussion Paper No. 269 of 2021 on Analysis of the Housing Status and Access to Basic Infrastructure in Nairobi City County: Disparities and Level of Deprivation

Abstract

Access to basic infrastructure is a key constituent and a prerequisite for affordable housing. Nairobi City County accounts for the highest affordable housing deficit in the country, with roughly 60 per cent of residents living in informal settlements. Therefore, an in-depth empirical analysis of the current housing status at a disaggregated level is key for targeted affordable housing policy interventions. This study analyzed intra-county disparities in housing conditions and access to basic infrastructure and designed a Multidimensional Housing Deprivation Index (MHDI) to serve as a policy-prescriptive tool in addressing housing deprivation in all its dimensions. MHDI framework involved defining dimensions, indicators, deprivation cutoffs and weights. The analysis involved computation of the housing deprivation incidence, intensity, and decomposition of MHDI by sub-groups. The results indicate that there is distinctive intra-county disparities and pockets of deprivation in access to basic infrastructure and housing conditions. The sub-counties dominated by informal settlements recorded higher levels of deprivation. MHDI score (0.195) indicates that 19.5 per cent of households are multidimensional housing deprived in at least 33.0 per cent of the weighted indicators. The incidence (0.407) of housing deprivation indicates that 40.7 per cent of households are multidimensional deprived, suggesting that 4 out of 10 households were deprived. Further Intensity (0.48) showed that, on average, multidimensional deprived households were deprived in 48 per cent of weighted indicators. The indicators that contribute highest to MHDI includes cooking fuel (26.7%), internet (18.8%), garbage collection (18.7%), and handwashing facility (12.2%). The study recommends a multisectoral approach in planning and developing affordable housing projects to ensure seamless execution of the plans. In addition, Nairobi County Development Plans should allocate adequate resources and identify appropriate strategies to reduce deprivation, with more emphasis on indicators contributing the most to MHDI.