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Consequences of housing shortage (Slums and Squatter settlements (Low…
Consequences of housing shortage
Homelessness
lack of shelter to sleep in and carry out basic activities
Often suffer from poor health:
rain
cold
hunger
lack of sleep
Suffer from illnesses:
skin infections
respiratory problems
stress disorders
Vulnerable to weather elements (cold, rain)
Often move from sleeping in streets to homeless shelters or temporary shelters (canvas sheets, makeshift tents)
Slums and Squatter settlements
Environmental pollution (effect on the environment)
Inadequate provision of basic services in slums and squatter settlements result in environmental pollution
Rivers near slum areas may be used for washing, garbage and sewage disposal
Water:
River hence becomes badly polluted, contaminants from sewage can also seep into the groundwater and pollute nearby sources of water, such as wells
Due ti inadequate waste disposal/ management services, people resort to burning rubbish and waste products
Air:
Susceptible to air pollution due to burning of rubbish (in some cases), which contributes large amounts carbon dioxide and other harmful gases, that may poison the slum/squatter settlement residents living in the area
Lack of garbage disposal systems
Land:
This results in the dumping of garbage into open drains and areas outside houses, which gives rise to land pollution. The garbage heaps generates a foul smell and become an eyesore
Low level of health due to poor living conditions
People living in slums do not have access to safe drinking water
Resort to using water from sources such as polluted rivers and contaminated wells (contain bacteria that cause diseases such as cholera, contain contaminants from sewage):
cholera, vomiting, severe diarrhoea that cause severe loss of water that can lead to death
dysentery, infection of intestines, diarrhoea containing blood or mucus, sudden onset of high fever, dehydration
Lack of waste management facilities results in improper disposal of rubbish, which may clog drains
Clogged drains and sewers provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and lead to spread of malaria and dengue fever
Overcrowded houses in slums and squatter settlements
Closely spaced houses facilitate the rapid spread of diseases within the community
Living near train tracks for better access to working areas and city
Noise pollution, high decibels over a prolonged period of time can cause deafness
Risk of residents caught in train tracks and getting killed by oncoming trains, especially children
Vulnerability
Landslides
Torrential rains may trigger landslides and have disastrous consequences especially in densely populated slums found on steep slopes. Landslides destroy houses and cause many people to be killed
Fires
Unsafe sources of gas supply are fire hazards and eventually lead to explosion or fire outbreak. Due to density and closely packed condition of the houses in the slums, fire will spread very quickly and people may not be able to escape in time because of narrow paths and lack of escape routes and die
Eviction
Squatter settlements may be built on land without permission from relevant authorities:
people living in these settlements may face the threat of eviction
They generally lack a sense of security as they may be forced out of their homes anytime
Social tensions may exacerbate and riots may break out and become violent