The Impact of Housing Improvement Project on the Poor: A Case Study in Belitung Regency, Indonesia is research that evaluated the impact of the improvement project toward the people’s behavior in their basic needs. This research thesis was a collaborative work between Ledy Fithriana, a linkage student class, with his supervisor Deva Fosterharoldas Swasto, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D.
In Belitung Regency, most of the poorest individuals live in inferior housing provided primarily by self-help construction. The typical problems of poor housing conditions include: lack of sanitation facilities, deteriorated housing components (wall, roof, floor), and lack of sufficient living space. To solve the housing problems faced by poor households, the local government of Belitung Regency implemented the Housing Improvement Project (Pembangunan Rumah Layak Huni/PRLH). The project aimed to improve the quality of inadequate dwellings owned by poor households by building new houses on the sites of existing houses. It is believed that good-quality of housing has a positive impact on the quality of life and wellbeing of not only individuals but also families. In the case of Belitung Regency, little empirical evidence of such impact exists despite the housing improvement project that has been implemented since 2009. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of Housing Improvement Projects on poor households in the Belitung Regency. To collect data, this study used a questionnaire survey, as well as interviews and observation.
The study suggests that improved-housing plays a major role in bringing about behavioral change, such as using proper sanitation facilities. Better housing also has positive impacts on the psychological wellbeing of poor households. Having improved-housing encourages poor households to make additional improvements to their house and social capital plays an important role in the process. The fact that living in better housing has little or no effect on income increment means that there will be inadequate resources to maintain the housing in good condition.