Archive for category: Housing Security

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Ways to Protect Factory Workers in China from Exploitation

Factory workers in China assembling electronics at a production line in a factory.
Documented labor violations in parts of China’s manufacturing sector include excessive overtime and the misuse of dispatch workers hired through temporary labor agencies. In a September 2025 investigation of Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory, China Labor Watch reported that most workers worked 60 to 75 hours per week and that dispatch workers exceeded half the workforce. These findings pertain to a particular factory, rather than describing all factory workers in China.

Social Insurance

China’s social insurance system includes pension, medical, unemployment, work-related injury and maternity insurance. Mandatory schemes do not ensure every worker is enrolled or receives every benefit. Pension insurance provides retirement benefits, medical insurance covers part of eligible health care costs and unemployment insurance supports eligible workers who lose their jobs. Employers fund work-related injury insurance for workplace injuries. Maternity insurance has merged with medical insurance in many cities.

Access to Legal Aid

The Legal Aid Law of the People’s Republic of China provides a route to legal advice and assistance for workers. Legal aid institutions offer advice through service windows, hotlines and the internet. The law took effect Jan. 1, 2022, and allows representation in labor-dispute mediation and arbitration. People facing financial hardship may apply for assistance with labor-remuneration claims, confirmation of employment relationships, social-insurance claims and compensation for occupational injuries or diseases, subject to the law’s requirements.

Worker Representation and Legal Standards

Representation operates through the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) system. A 2011 working paper published by the International Labour Organization described the ACFTU as China’s sole legal trade union organization and examined its ties to the party-state. This analysis highlights the distinction between formal representation and independent worker organization.

China’s Labor Law sets out rights to remuneration, rest, occupational safety and social insurance. Article 36 describes an eight-hour day and an average maximum of 44 hours a week; separate standard-working-hour rules use a 40-hour week. Overtime is regulated separately, with a general monthly limit of 36 hours and specified exceptions. These are legal protections, rather than proof that all workers receive the pay, hours and safety measures they are entitled to.

Supply-Chain Measures

The Fair Labor Association has documented forced-labor risks in supply chains connected to Xinjiang. The U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act establishes a rebuttable presumption against importing goods made wholly or partly in Xinjiang or by listed entities, unless the applicable requirements for an exception are met. The EU has also adopted a regulation prohibiting products made with forced labor from its market; those rules apply from Dec. 14, 2027.

Protecting Household Security

Unpaid wages, unsafe conditions, lack of social-insurance enrollment and difficulty enforcing labor rights can threaten household income and economic security. Legal aid can help eligible low-income individuals access remedies, while social insurance is designed to protect against risks such as sickness, injury and job loss. These mechanisms offer ways to protect factory workers in China, but their value depends on access and enforcement.

– Stephanie Ou

Stephanie is based in San Jose, California/Santa Clara County, United States and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Serbia

A child stands in a dilapidated area, highlighting poverty in Serbia.
Despite improvements over the last decade, poverty in Serbia remains a persistent problem. Once a constituent republic of Socialist Yugoslavia, the country sits in Southeastern Europe and had a population of about 6.6 million in the 2022 census. Based on Serbia’s income and living conditions survey, the national at-risk-of-poverty rate decreased from 21.4% in 2021 to 19.7% in 2024. The most recent official release placed the rate at 19.6% in 2025. The at-risk-of-poverty rate is a relative measure based on household income below 60% of median equivalized disposable income. Although that figure remains worryingly high, it demonstrates strong progress in reducing poverty in Serbia. Economic growth, increased employment and international assistance may have driven these improvements.

Groups Most Affected by Poverty in Serbia

The number of Serbians who are either in or at risk of poverty varies significantly across demographics and regions. Poverty in Serbia is closely related to regional divides. In 2025, Belgrade’s at-risk-of-poverty rate was 8.4% compared to 27.7% in Southern and Eastern Serbia and 21% in Vojvodina.

The education figures below are not directly comparable to Serbia’s national at-risk-of-poverty rate. Although Serbia measures the at-risk-of-poverty rate based on household income below the national poverty threshold, the education statistics shown below use the World Bank’s international poverty line. This is set at $8.30 per person per day in 2021 purchasing-power-parity terms. Education also plays a major role in differing poverty rates. A World Bank brief using 2023 survey data found that poverty rates for people aged 16 and older without formal education are as high as 35.7%, compared with 9.1% for those who have completed secondary education.

Poverty rates also differ clearly by age. In 2025, people aged 65 and older were at the highest risk of poverty at 25.8%. This is much larger than the 14.9% for those aged 25-54.

Why Poverty Remains in Serbia

Poverty in Serbia persists for several reasons. Poverty rates in Serbia differ considerably between urban and rural communities. The World Bank acknowledges that lagging regions face several challenges, such as attracting and retaining young people, supporting local businesses and providing high-quality public services. These issues may limit economic opportunities and widen regional inequality. Young people may face constraints that further fuel poverty in Serbia. This is visible in rural areas, where poor mobility, geographical isolation and limited employment opportunities are often associated with limited access to education, jobs and vocational training. These factors may contribute to rural-urban disparities.

Efforts to Reduce Poverty in Serbia

Recent data demonstrate clear reductions in poverty in Serbia. International partners have provided key financial aid to Serbia, while the government has also made domestic changes regarding spending and legislation. Since 2014, the European Union has invested more than €91 million (about $102 million) to improve education, employment and social protection, particularly among marginalized groups. This is alongside Serbia’s participation in the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, where the country could receive nearly €1.6 billion (about $1.8 billion). This is to support initiatives that tackle energy poverty, develop labor skills and increase economic opportunities. In 2024, Serbia experienced real GDP growth of around 3.9%, with unemployment reduced to 8.6%.

One of the European Union’s initiatives in Serbia is the EU Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion (EU SHAI) program. This targets Serbians who are most vulnerable, including Roma families, domestic violence victims and those with disabilities. The program combines housing assistance with education, employment and social services. It has been implemented across 19 cities and municipalities in Serbia, with housing and inclusion support planned for 381 families. In the municipality of Raška, the program has helped more than 80 people receive permanent housing.

Domestically, the government has increased the minimum wage and pensions to provide improvements to Serbians’ living standards. Increased funding for employment initiatives, social protection and education has aimed to improve the standard of living for vulnerable groups and reduce poverty across Serbia.

The Future for Serbia

Poverty in Serbia is still an ongoing issue, especially for rural communities in the east and south. Despite this, recent data demonstrate clear improvements, with fewer people in or at risk of poverty. Poverty in Serbia can further be reduced with sustained investment from international partners and domestic reforms. These could contribute to reducing regional inequalities, increasing social protection and enhancing educational opportunities. Continued support from various actors could further decrease poverty and develop opportunities for Serbians.

– Oliver Doole

Oliver is based in Ipswich, Suffollk, United Kingdom and focuses on Business and New Markets, and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Community-Led Housing Strengthens Economic Security

Community-Led Housing
For families living in informal settlements, finding an affordable home can be about more than having a roof overhead. Without secure land or housing, families can face eviction, overcrowding and limited access to basic services. Community-led housing offers a different approach. Instead of governments or private developers making every decision, residents organize themselves to help design, finance, build and manage their own communities. Projects in countries including Thailand, Kenya and Brazil demonstrate how this approach can give low-income communities greater housing security and control. While community-led housing is not a standalone solution to global poverty, these examples suggest that giving residents greater control over housing can contribute to economic security, affordability and stronger communities.

Thailand Shows How Communities Can Lead

Launched in 2003, Baan Mankong places low-income communities at the center of housing development. Through Thailand’s Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), organized communities can access financial and technical support to purchase land, construct homes and improve infrastructure. Rather than moving residents away from informal settlements and replacing them with government-built housing, the program often allows communities to determine what their neighborhoods need. Residents can form cooperatives, save money together, negotiate with landowners and decide how their housing should be developed.

The approach has operated at a significant scale. According to CODI, Baan Mankong had reached 142,763 households by 2026. There is also evidence of potential economic benefits for participating households. CODI’s recent Social Return on Investment research found that the proportion of respondents reporting family savings increased from 38.28% before moving into Baan Mankong housing to 76.90% afterward. The research also found that 58.62% of respondents said the program had reduced their housing expenses. These figures help illustrate an important principle of community-led housing: people experiencing housing insecurity can also be part of designing the solution, while individuals can connect access to secure housing to broader household financial security.

Kenya Uses Community Land Ownership

In Kenya, the Tanzania-Bondeni Community Land Trust in Voi has provided an alternative to conventional individual land ownership. The community land trust model places land under collective ownership while allowing residents to have secure rights to their homes. This distinction is important because inexpensive housing can become unaffordable again if properties are later sold at market prices. Community land trusts can help protect affordability by separating ownership of the land from ownership or use of the buildings on it. The model has therefore attracted attention as a potential way to provide long-term housing security for low-income communities. The International Center for Community Land Trusts identifies Tanzania-Bondeni as an important example of the community land trust model in the Global South.

Latin America Demonstrates the Power of Collective Action

Community-led housing and collective land ownership have also developed across Latin America. The Caño Martín Peña Community Land Trust in Puerto Rico provides a prominent example. The trust originated to help residents of an informal settlement obtain collective land security while improving housing and infrastructure. Instead of treating residents as passive recipients of housing, the model gives the community a formal role in managing its future. Collective ownership can also help residents remain in established communities rather than being displaced as land values increase. Further, research into community-led housing in Brazil, Nepal, Malawi and Zambia, drawing from more than 100 sources and case studies, has found that resident participation can contribute to improvements in housing, social inclusion and local governance. Together, these examples show how collective action can connect housing improvements with community decision-making and longer-term security.

More Than an Affordable House

The examples demonstrate that community-led housing can provide benefits beyond reducing the cost of a home. Residents can gain greater control over decisions that affect their communities. Cooperative structures can help people pool savings and access financing. Collective ownership can also help protect land and housing from speculation. Community-led housing can strengthen existing social networks as well. Instead of relocating residents away from their communities, some projects allow people to improve the places where they already live. Environmental improvements can become another benefit. Projects can incorporate green spaces, improved infrastructure and more efficient use of land.

The approach does not mean that communities must solve housing problems without outside assistance. Baan Mankong demonstrates the importance of government financing and technical support, while other community land trust projects rely on partnerships with nonprofit organizations and local authorities.

A Model With Global Potential

Community-led housing is not a single type of building. It is a way of organizing housing around the people who live in it. Together, the examples above suggest that addressing housing insecurity does not always require communities to wait for a developer or government agency to provide a finished solution. With access to land, finance and technical support, residents can become active participants in creating and managing affordable housing. For communities facing poverty, that shift can mean more than a new home. It can provide greater housing security, greater control over local decisions and, in some cases, a stronger foundation for household economic security.

The experience of Baan Mankong provides evidence that community-led housing can operate at substantial scale, while community land trusts demonstrate ways of protecting collective land security. Community-led housing is therefore not a simple answer to global poverty. But by putting residents at the center of decisions about land, housing and community development, it offers one approach to strengthening the security and resilience of low-income communities.

– Lilia Clark

Lilia is based in Glasgow, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Homelessness in Tokelau: Where No One Sleeps Without Shelter

Homelessness in TokelauAccording to the Government of Tokelau’s 2016 Census of Populations and Dwellings, there is no data available regarding homelessness in Tokelau. The lack of public statistics does not translate to a lack of knowledge; it instead indicates that the region’s basic housing needs are met through a combination of community values and subsistent economic life.

Tokelau, a dependent territory of New Zealand, is one of the most remote places on earth. The secluded non-self-governing region in the South Pacific comprises three coastal atolls – three rings of sandy beaches and lush green foliage surrounding beautiful turquoise lagoons – and has a combined population of 2,700 residents.

How Community and Subsistence Make a Difference

Homelessness in Tokelau is a foreign concept due to each atoll’s strong sense of collective responsibility. This Polynesian cultural norm greatly dictates Tokelau’s land management and dwelling allocation. 

Subsistence is a major pillar of the region’s economic lifestyle. Since the three islands have a joint area of 12 square kilometers, how the residents use their land is crucial to housing accessibility.

Tokelauans do not farm with the intent to mass-export or produce beyond basic means. The Government of Tokelau says that residents cultivate only one cash crop (coconuts) and take advantage of local fisheries instead of dedicating mass amounts of land to animal husbandry. Geo Factbook notes that industrial efforts remain small-scale and construct mostly traditional handicrafts. 

​In addition to the island group’s minimalist way of life, homelessness in Tokelau is avoided due to a social safeguard. According to Tokelau’s governing system, all three islands have a complex social structure that emphasizes the value of community and sharing, making it rare for someone to be left without access to shelter or communal resources.

In the territory, people do not see land as a commodity; individuals do not buy and sell land for profit. Instead, the culture’s familial and communal obligations take charge, creating a distribution system in which ownership of and access to land are chiefly determined by family and ancestral ties, and the portion excluded from that generational handoff is reserved for collective use.

Addressing Overcrowded Homes Without Sacrificing Community

The same generosity that extinguishes homelessness in Tokelau also causes overcrowding in households across all three islands. The Tokelau National Statistics Office’s “2016 Census of Populations and Dwellings,” the most recent one available, found that across the whole of Tokelau, the most common number of rooms per dwelling was three (around 27%), and 14.5% of dwellings had eight or more occupants. The cultural tradition of extended families and multiple generations living together in single homes leads to serious health risks and poor housing quality. The Tokelau Community Housing project aimed to solve this problem.​

Researchers at the Wellington School of Medicine and the Wellington Tokelauan Association in New Zealand approached the territory’s overcrowding problem in a unique way: they designed housing that could accommodate large numbers of people per dwelling, rather than disrupting the complex social and cultural system that values community and sharing.

The Tokelau Community Housing project successfully constructed a single demonstration home that accommodated 11 occupants and stayed warm, dry and well-ventilated. The Tokelauan family that lived in the house during the research period responded positively, reporting they felt healthier and happier after just a couple of months

Concluding Thoughts

​The demonstration home from the Tokelau Community Housing project was never mass-produced, and neither New Zealand nor Tokelau has stated that the research paper’s published findings have influenced their housing policies. Yet, the project proved that overcrowding is not an inevitable consequence of Tokelau’s way of life. Researchers showed that communities do not have to choose between homelessness and unhealthy living conditions.

– Mia Puleo

Mia is based in Park City, UT, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Housing Programs in Serbia: A Step Towards Social Inclusion

Housing Programs in SerbiaSerbia’s recent headlines have reflected deep political and social tensions. Since the deadly railway station collapse in Novi Sad on Nov. 1, 2024, which killed 16 people, mass protests have spread across the country. Demonstrators have accused President Aleksandar Vučić’s government of entrenched corruption and authoritarianism while demanding greater transparency and democratic reform.

At the same time, Serbia continues negotiations with the European Union (EU) and benefits from major EU-funded development programs targeting poverty reduction, infrastructure and social cohesion.

This political context places Serbia at an important turning point: while public distrust toward institutions grows, EU-backed social programs continue to reshape living conditions for some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.

Poverty and Ethnic Discrimination in Serbia

Serbia remains the largest economy and the most populous state in the Western Balkans, with approximately 6.6 million inhabitants in 2026. Over the past decade, Serbia has experienced notable economic growth and increasing foreign investment. However, this growth has not benefited all parts of society equally.

Around 20% of the Serbian population remains at risk of poverty, particularly in the southern and western regions of the country. Economic inequality, unemployment, weak infrastructure and limited access to public services continue to affect vulnerable populations disproportionately.

Among the communities facing the greatest structural discrimination are the Roma people. Roma communities in Serbia frequently encounter barriers in employment, education, health care and housing. Many Roma families continue to live in informal settlements with poor infrastructure, limited sanitation and insecure housing conditions, which further reinforces cycles of poverty and exclusion.

The EU SHAI Program: Housing as Social Inclusion

In response to these challenges, the EU launched the Social Housing and Active Inclusion Program (EU SHAI), one of Serbia’s largest social inclusion initiatives. Between 2019 and 2025, the EU invested €27 million into the program, while the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) implemented it alongside Serbian national and local authorities.

Rather than focusing solely on housing construction, EU SHAI combined accommodation with employment support, education, health care access and social services.

The program targeted Roma communities, women escaping domestic violence, people with disabilities, young people leaving state care systems and families living in extreme poverty. It adapted its approach to local needs by constructing new apartments, purchasing rural homes, renovating existing properties and upgrading infrastructure in informal settlements. Projects took place across 19 Serbian municipalities, including Čačak, Loznica, Šabac, Raška and Svilajnac.

The program produced measurable results:

  • 127 families moved into newly built housing units
  • 14 new family homes were constructed
  • 56 village houses were purchased
  • 92 homes were renovated
  • More than 350 vulnerable families received permanent housing support

Overall, the program supported more than 1,200 people.

Some municipalities achieved especially visible results. Svilajnac and Raška emerged as examples of how long-term coordination between local governments, international organizations and social services can create sustainable improvements for vulnerable communities. In this sense, EU SHAI functioned not only as a humanitarian program but also as a governance and development initiative.

Housing Programs in Serbia for Roma Communities

Serbia has also developed targeted housing initiatives specifically for Roma communities. Through the Let’s Build a Home Together project, the Serbian government, with EU financial support, has provided housing solutions for up to 170 Roma families previously living in unsafe, informal settlements.

Families can choose between apartments, village houses or the reconstruction of existing homes. Authorities designed the program with direct participation from Roma beneficiaries in order to protect housing rights and adapt solutions to each family’s needs. The initiative also places strong emphasis on women’s equal housing rights and property security.

Social Housing for Refugees and Displaced People

Following the conflicts that accompanied the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Serbia participated in the Regional Housing Program (RHP), a joint initiative involving Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia. The program aimed to support refugees and internally displaced persons affected by the Yugoslav wars.

Alongside the RHP, Serbia developed the Social Housing in Supportive Environment (SHSE) program, which has operated since 2002 with support from international donors, the Serbian government, the EU and organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The SHSE program provides long-term housing and social protection for vulnerable groups, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons. Since 2002, the program has built 430 apartments across 22 Serbian municipalities, housing approximately 1,100 vulnerable residents. Unlike traditional institutional shelters, SHSE promotes decentralized and community-based housing solutions that integrate beneficiaries into local communities while supporting their access to health care, employment and social services.

Programs Fostering Active Inclusion

What distinguishes the housing programs in Serbia from traditional housing policies is their emphasis on active inclusion. Programs such as EU SHAI recognize that stable housing alone cannot sustainably reduce poverty if families remain excluded from employment, education and health care systems. As a result, these programs combine housing assistance with social and economic support measures tailored to the specific needs of each family.

The initiatives also actively involve the communities they support in the decision-making process, allowing beneficiaries to participate in shaping their own housing solutions and future living conditions rather than remaining passive recipients of aid.

This integrated approach proved especially important for Roma communities, who often face overlapping forms of exclusion. By combining stable housing with education and employment opportunities, these programs aim to break intergenerational cycles of poverty rather than simply manage their consequences.

Serbia, the EU and the Politics of Social Development

The housing programs in Serbia highlight the complex relationship between Serbia and the European Union. While political tensions surrounding democracy, corruption and media freedom continue to complicate Serbia’s accession process, EU-funded social programs remain deeply embedded in the country’s development strategy.

For many vulnerable families, these projects produce tangible improvements in everyday life regardless of broader geopolitical debates. They provide stable housing, access to employment, educational opportunities and greater social protection in communities that have often remained excluded for decades.

Looking Ahead

At a time when poverty, displacement and housing insecurity continue to affect millions across Europe, Serbia’s social housing programs demonstrate how targeted international cooperation can generate measurable social impact even amid ongoing political tensions. By combining housing with active inclusion policies, the housing programs in Serbia offer a model for poverty reduction that focuses not only on shelter but also on long-term social integration.

– Inès Maudire

Inès Maudire is based in Paris, France and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Singapore

Poverty Eradication in SingaporeWhile Singapore is considered one of the wealthiest nations in the world, high living costs cause financial pressure on lower-income families. Housing costs are one of the main reasons for financial strain, especially for families, who must also balance needs such as food, healthcare and education. Currently, innovations in poverty eradication in Singapore are being developed to support lower-income residents.

Poverty in Singapore

Singapore currently has a population of 6,036,860. Out of this number, around 3% of Singaporeans are in absolute poverty, or unable to meet a minimum standard of living requirement, and 25% experience relative poverty, meaning they may struggle to access the same opportunities and services as the average resident. Poverty in Singapore does not necessarily mean the lack of financial well-being, but rather a lack of access to opportunities such as proper housing, education and good health.

Singapore’s Public Housing System 

One of the major innovations in poverty eradication in Singapore is its public housing system through the Housing & Development Board (HDB). Singapore established the HDB in 1960 to address housing shortages and improve living conditions for residents. Over the decades, the program expanded into one of the world’s largest public housing systems, helping millions of Singaporeans access affordable housing, with close to 80% of Singaporeans living in public housing today.

Affordable housing plays an important role in reducing poverty by lifting financial pressure on low-income families. Singapore’s emphasis on providing affordable public housing supports long-term financial stability. Stable housing helps families access schools, public transportation and employment opportunities more easily, without the stress of unstable housing. Lower housing costs allow families to prioritize necessities such as food, healthcare and education, supporting economic security and reducing poverty.

Government Support for Low-Income Families

Recent developments in public housing policies have increased housing grants for both singles and families. These grants are financial assistance programs that help residents reduce the cost of purchasing homes. Through the HBD, the total grants for new flats for families have increased from S$80,000 to S$120,000. For low-income families, housing grants improve access to stable living. By focusing these grants on groups of need, such as families with young children, the elderly and widows, Singapore’s housing system aims to make housing more accessible for those who need it.

The Future of Affordable Housing in Singapore in 2026

Singapore continues to expand public housing. In February 2026, HDB launched more than 9,000 flats through new and resale housing programs, aiming to increase housing availability.

The program will also continue its mission of providing affordable housing for low-income families by expanding into new areas. In March, Minister for National Development, Mr. Chee Hong Tat, announced plans to develop public housing projects in areas such as Pearl’s Hill and Toa Payoh West, helping to improve access for Singaporeans. Expanding these projects will increase housing options for Singaporeans and ensure the inclusivity of all citizens. 

Singapore’s government also plans to improve the conditions of public flats. For example, newer rental flats include improved natural lighting and ventilation, while older rental blocks undergo regular maintenance and upgrades. Singapore also aims to support elderly residents by building more Community Care Apartments.

By focusing on vulnerable residents, Singapore’s housing system prioritizes long-term stability and overall quality of life. As one of the leading innovations for poverty eradication in Singapore, the HDB continues to help provide housing for low-income families in line with these future goals.

Conclusion

While housing affordability challenges persist, Singapore’s public housing system continues to support low-income families through housing grants, expansion projects, and an inclusive program. Through these investments, the country emphasizes how access to stable housing improves economic stability and aims to reduce poverty through one of its most successful innovations in poverty eradication in Singapore.

– Michelle Kurniali

Michelle is based in Dallas, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Cargo Containers as Affordable Housing for Nigerians

Cargo Containers as Affordable HousingNigeria is currently facing an immense housing crisis. First, there is a fundamental shortage of homes to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population. According to the 2025 Nigeria Housing Report published by the Sixteenth Council, the country faces a housing deficit of more than 17 million units. With one of the highest fertility rates in Africa, around 4.4 births per woman, Nigeria’s demand for housing continues to rise sharply, placing increasing pressure on already limited supply.

Second, beyond the material shortage itself, many existing homes are deemed structurally inadequate. A significant number of homes are built in unsafe conditions, such as on weak stilts over water or lack access to basic services like proper sanitation and electricity. In response to these challenges, an innovative solution has begun to gain attention: “cargotecture.” Derived from the original word architecture, this emerging approach involves repurposing cargo containers as affordable housing units. 

The Advantages of Container Homes

One key reason shipping containers have become increasingly important as land-based structures is their durability. Companies such as Karmod Nigeria, which operates in more than 25 states, note that these structures are engineered for long-term use. Built primarily from steel, they offer strong structural integrity and present a practical option for affordable housing in low-income communities. 

Steel is highly durable and resistant to harsh environmental conditions, reducing the need for frequent repairs and lowering long-term maintenance costs. This makes container-based housing a cost-effective solution in different climates and seasons. Beyond everyday environmental conditions, steel containers also perform well under extreme stresses, including earthquakes. 

Originally built to endure long journeys across rough oceans, these containers are designed for strength and resilience. Their robust structure makes them a reliable option in areas with recorded seismic activity, such as Nigeria, which has experienced earthquakes as high as magnitude 4.9. Another material advantage lies in cargo container flooring. Since the base structure is already reinforced, it requires little additional support. 

Floors can be finished quickly with lightweight, cost-effective materials such as bamboo, timber and polyvinyl chloride tiles, which are often cheaper than hardwood used in traditional homes. This helps reduce overall construction costs, making housing more accessible and practical for low-income communities. Fire resistance is another notable benefit of cargo containers. 

In a country like Nigeria, where temperatures remain consistently high, the risk of fire can increase. A 1977 U.S. Coast Guard study found that fires in containers caused minimal structural damage and were unlikely to spread to nearby units. This shows that steel shipping containers are largely non-combustible, offering a safer and more reliable housing option for people who might otherwise live in low-cost areas with higher fire risks. 

Closing Remarks

Ultimately, container homes have evolved from export transport units into lightweight, quickly assembled housing solutions for Nigerians who may not have the means to buy fully furnished luxury homes. Known for their durability, these pre-built structures offer a practical response to the country’s housing crisis. Their growing appeal is also reflected in the expanding global market.

Reports show the container homes market generated $44.76 billion in 2017 and was projected to reach $73.07 billion by 2025, highlighting the real potential of cargo containers as affordable housing.

– Sophia Lupo

Sophia is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How High Living Costs in Bonaire Strain Working Families

High Living Costs in BonaireHigh living costs in Bonaire have become a daily problem for many individuals residing on the Dutch Caribbean island. Despite Bonaire being a special municipality of the Netherlands, many working-class residents still struggle to afford necessities for themselves and their families. Statistics Netherlands reported that 20% of Bonaire’s residents experienced difficulty making ends meet, while 25% of children under the age of 18 were at risk of poverty in 2022. 

Housing Costs Leave Little Room To Breathe

Housing has become one of the most obvious ways in which high living costs in Bonaire have affected daily life. A Dutch government advisory report from 2023 stated that the high cost of living on the island is partially due to the lack of substantial housing and that these costs particularly impact low-income people. The same report stated that Bonaire had 565 public-sector housing units available and around 1,000 families on the waiting list.

This leaves many lower-income residents dependent on an expensive private rental market or living in crowded multigenerational households. For working families, this can mean paying too much for rent while also giving up privacy, stability and peace of mind.

Food and Transport Turn Essentials Into Financial Stress

High living costs in Bonaire do not end with rent. The government’s advisory committee also found that almost all the food and drinks consumed in Bonaire are imported from other places, mainly the Netherlands, keeping their prices very high. Statistics Netherlands reported that the prices of goods in Bonaire were 36% higher in 2024 than in 2010, while food and non-alcoholic beverage prices were 51% higher than over a decade ago.

Transportation also adds another layer of pressure. The same government report stated that there is no public transportation on the island, meaning residents across income levels are often forced to rely on private options. For low-income families, this leads to consequences such as having to pay back costly loans, depending on rides from others and having fewer opportunities to work, receive education and run daily errands.

Work Does Not Always Protect Families From the Poverty Trap

High living costs in Bonaire are especially problematic, as many residents are employed in sectors that offer modest wages. CBS reported in late 2024 that average wages in Bonaire were lower than in neighboring islands such as Sint Eustatius and Saba during the 2011–2022 period. A large number of jobs in Bonaire pay close to or at the statutory minimum wage, especially in tourism-related, retail, construction and manufacturing industries.

Beginning in July 2024, the statutory minimum wage on these three Dutch Caribbean islands was $1,751 per month. Even with this increase, families facing high rents, transport costs and rising grocery bills find that full-time work leaves little money left for savings. Consumer goods and services in Bonaire were also 5.3% more expensive in the second quarter of 2025 compared with 2024, indicating that price pressure has not been fully resolved.

Dutch Measures and Local Housing Efforts Offer Some Relief

The responses that could help alleviate these severe pressures are still in development, but there are signs of improvement. CBS reported that minimum wages and social benefits in the Dutch Caribbean have been systematically increased at a rate exceeding inflation to help low-income families keep up with the rising cost of living. Housing is another area where officials are making progress, with the Executive Council of Bonaire and Hugo de Jonge, Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning, signing the housing deal for Bonaire in 2023.

The housing deal aims to deliver 2,124 affordable homes by 2030. About $11.7 million has been allocated for the first tranche (installment), which will fund the construction of the first 600 homes, including infrastructure, beginning in 2025. The 2023 advisory report also pointed out rental subsidy measures in Bonaire that have already reduced rent costs for some families. 

These efforts will not solve the problem overnight. However, they show that Dutch and locally based institutions are under pressure to respond with more than just temporary promises.

Conclusion

High living costs in Bonaire are not an issue that will disappear quickly, especially on an island where factors such as imported goods, limited housing and car dependence shape everyday life. Still, recent wage increases, subsidy efforts and affordable housing plans suggest that relief is possible if these measures continue and expand. For working families on Bonaire, real progress depends on whether policy changes can make ordinary necessities feel manageable again rather than out of reach.

– Ashirah Newton

Ashirah is based in Brooklyn, NY and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Housing and Urban Poverty in Vietnam

Urban Poverty in VietnamThroughout the 21st century, Vietnam has focused on improving the living standards of its population. More specifically, Vietnam’s government has actively worked to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty. Despite improvements in the right direction, millions of Vietnamese face a new challenge: affordable housing. Without access to affordable housing, rural poverty in Vietnam has increased, leading to street lottery ticket vendors or families forming informal communities or hamlets in big cities. In response to this growing challenge, Vietnam’s government and private organizations are addressing housing and urban poverty created by the lack of affordable housing.

Housing and Urban Poverty in Vietnam

According to the deputy chief of the National Office for Poverty Reduction, Vietnam’s overall poverty rate would drop to around 1.1%. This represents roughly 900,000 to 1.1 million individuals living in poverty in Vietnam. Furthermore, Vietnam has developed a new multidimensional poverty index for the next six years, designed to increase the urban income threshold to VND 2.8 million ($106) and rural income to VND 2.2 million ($84) per person per month. Although these numbers highlight Vietnam’s success in tackling extreme poverty, they often ignore the millions of individuals who cannot afford housing in major urban centers, like Ho Chi Minh City.

Thousands of people in Vietnam cannot afford housing because of two main reasons: excess housing demand and a worsening affordability gap.. The director of the Housing and Real Estate Market Management Department explained that Vietnam would need roughly one million more homes to meet the increased demand. Given the growing population in urban centers, housing and urban poverty in Vietnam are increasing.

Affordability Gap

Furthermore, home prices have outpaced income growth by a significant margin, making it almost impossible for an average Vietnamese citizen to afford housing in major urban centers. Prices in major cities, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have risen 5.6% so far this year. This means that, on average, apartment prices are roughly 80 million dong ($3,028) per square meter. In comparison, the average annual salary of a Vietnamese worker is 98.4 million dong. This sizable difference has made it almost impossible for Vietnamese to afford housing.

Addressing the Housing Crisis

To successfully address this challenge, the government, private organizations and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have developed effective strategies and projects to decrease housing costs in Vietnam. The government has pledged to adjust land use fee regulations to ensure fairness and prevent companies from raising prices beyond people’s affordability. Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) in Vietnam, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing housing and urban poverty globally, in collaboration with local unions and organizations, has developed the Decent Housing, Peaceful Life project. This project has supported the construction and revitalization of existing properties in Vietnam to improve the housing situation of individuals facing difficult circumstances.

Looking Ahead

As Vietnam continues to grow as a nation, the government, companies and NGOs in the country continue to address the different challenges that arise. Indeed, as housing affordability and accessibility worsen in Vietnam, the government, in collaboration with other organizations, is taking steps to ease this pressure and secure affordable, safe housing for millions of Vietnamese in major urban centers.

– Rodrigo Salgado

Rodrigo is based in Boulder, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Homelessness in Wallis and Futuna: A Hidden Problem

Homelessness in Wallis and FutunaHomelessness in Wallis and Futuna does not fit the typical image of people sleeping on city sidewalks. Instead, it resembles situations in places like Fiji, manifesting through housing insecurity and overcrowding that quietly impact residents’ lives. With rising climate risks and high prices for goods, families increasingly rely on informal support systems and French-backed programs to keep their homes.

Housing and Poverty in a Remote Territory

Wallis and Futuna is a French overseas territory with a population of about 11,140 people spread across the islands of Wallis, Futuna and Alofi. As a French collectivity, it enjoys social protection, free public health care and links to France’s welfare system. Despite this, its geographic isolation and small market limit stable job opportunities.

Authorities conducted its latest population and housing census in Wallis and Futuna in 2023. However, the 2018 census most recently counted every household and community residence, including boarding schools and retirement homes. That census tracked the living conditions of residents and housing stock. While agencies/officials have not widely published detailed figures on homelessness in Wallis and Futuna, the census framework indicated that authorities focused on issues like overcrowding, shared homes and vulnerable residents rather than the percentage of people living on the streets.

When Homelessness Means Inadequate Housing

With about 21% of Wallis and Futuna’s residents living below the housing poverty in 2020, this phenomenon of “hidden” homelessness is characterized by residents living in overcrowded conditions, substandard homes and precarious tenure rather than people sleeping outside. Those from low-income backgrounds live in informal and semi-formal settlements that do not meet basic standards regarding safe water access, sanitation and structural quality.

These issues are not new to Wallis and Futuna. The territory has limited land, is vulnerable to tropical storms, and depends on a small, aid-dependent economy. Consequently, those without stable housing often live with extended families, move frequently between islands, or rely on church and community networks. These circumstances align with larger international definitions of housing insecurity and hidden homelessness.

Support Systems and French Policy Connections

French public systems play a significant role in preventing extreme homelessness in Wallis and Futuna. The French government funds a free public health system that residents can easily access. Doctors and officials can quickly evacuate those with serious cases to partner hospitals in Paris under an agreement with France’s national health insurance, ensuring that residents in Wallis and Futuna receive immediate enrollment in social security.

Moreover, the territory benefits from French-supported programs like the “Housing First” plan. This initiative promotes quick access to stable housing for people living in poor conditions, and aims to reduce reliance on emergency shelters. While France designed this plan primarily for the mainland, its principles provide funding and technical support that can reach French overseas territories, including Wallis and Futuna, where social services are under French law. Between 2017 and 2022, France’s Housing First strategy moved about 440,000 people into (or kept them in) stable housing, showing measurable results behind the model.

Climate, Development Projects and Significant Future Risks

Environmental pressures and limited land accelerates housing insecurity in Wallis and Futuna. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion and intense storms destroy homes and traditional landholdings. This pushes individuals and families into temporary accommodations or the overcrowded homes of relatives when their own dwellings become unsuitable to live in.

The European Union, through cooperation with South Pacific territories, has tried to address these risks. Between 2018 and 2024, the PROTEGE program was implemented by the Pacific Community and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) supported Wallis and Futuna in protecting drinking water resources, promoting agroecological practices and safeguarded biodiversity through concrete actions such as water-catchment protection, and invasive-species control. These measures help to improve rural livelihoods and lessens the risk of environmental shocks that lead to displacement. Since August 2020, the EU’s “Green Overseas” (GO program) led by Expertise France has helped the territory through the GO facility, which provides technical assistance and funding to develop eco-construction and energy-efficiency solutions.

Solutions and Community-Based Approaches

Pacific housing programs demonstrate that combining basic infrastructure, secure tenure and community involvement effectively addresses inadequate housing. By leveraging village networks, church communities and traditional systems, it can create resilient housing and eco-construction with French and EU support. This helps reduce hidden homelessness in Wallis and Futuna and protects its most vulnerable residents.

– Ashirah Newton

Ashirah is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr