What are the consequences of housing shortage in cities?

Housing shortage is where ... (Select all that apply)

• There is not enough supply to meet the demand.

• There is sufficient supply to meet the demand.

• There is an over-supply to meet the demand.

• Houses are cheap and affordable for all.

• There is insufficient housing to accommodate the population in an area.

True or false?

Squatter settlements are developed without permission from authorities or not built on land approved for housing.

• True

• False

Which of the following are issues faced by people living in improper housing? (Select all that apply)

• Bad neighbours.

• Emergency services take longer to reach them, if there is a need.

• Lack of access to clean, piped water.

• Their houses are built on weak foundations and may collapse in the event of an earthquake or flood.

• Lack of access to jobs.

What are some common traits/characteristics of places facing housing shortage?

True or false?

Rural-rural migration results in housing shortage in the city.

• True

• False

True or false?

Land is scarce. There are many uses of land such as residential, commercial, industrial and recreational uses. Stiff competition may result in insufficient land used for housing.

• True

• False

Homelessness is a consequence of housing shortage in cities.

How does homelessness have a negative impact on one's health? Explain.

Living in slum and squatter settlements is unpleasant because... (Select all that apply)

• The lack of garbage disposal system results in dumping of garbage into open drains and areas outside the houses, which is an eyesore.

• The groundwater may be contaminated from sewage nearby, leading to contaminated water sources.

• There can be a foul smell generated by the garbage strewn everywhere.

The Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil used to have clear waters and white sandy beaches during the 1970s. Now...

• The bay remains clean and pristine, there are no slum and squatter settlements nearby.

• The bay is slightly dirty by nearby slums and squatter settlements, but marine life has not been affected much yet.

• The bay is filled with floating rubbish and polluted waters due to untreated sewage from nearby slums and squatter settlements.

Living in slums and squatter settlements affects one's health because...

• Water used can be from contaminated and polluted water bodies. The bacteria can causes diseases such as cholera.

• Cholera leads to diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to dehydration and even death.

• Stagnant waters in clogged drains and sewers provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to the spread of malaria and dengue fever.

• Having the luxury of space in the house ensures a comfortable environment to recover when one falls ill.