Research on the effects of Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs), implemented in Third World countries since the early 1980s, has been dominated, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, by the analysis of quantitative, national-level data. The relationship between gender and SAPs at the household level has been largely neglected. This thesis examines the above relationship in Harare, Zimbabwe where the government's recent adoption of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme, ESAP (1991-95) has allowed a study of the processes of change at the household level following changes in macro-economic and social policies. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to provide an integrated picture of changes in the lives of women and men in a random sample of 100 households in one typical high-density suburb in Harare. A base-line study was carried out in mid-1991 and the same households followed up in mid-1992. Gender-specific changes in employment and income, household expenditure, domestic work and involvement in social organisations were investigated as well as responses to the dramatic rises in the cost of living following measures implemented under ESAP. The research shows that almost all households have been negatively affected by ESAP, with widening income differentials and a much greater proportion of households falling below the Poverty Datum Line. Household savings have been depleted and a greater number of households are in debt. Women's income has declined to a greater extent than men's and their responsibility to meet daily consumption needs of the household has become more difficult to fulfil, resulting in increased gender-based conflict. Although all households were forced to cut consumption, the poorest households have been worst affected with women taking greater cuts than men. Coping responses were found to be individual and family-based, sometimes across urban and rural areas, rather than community-based. Responses have been defensive, aimed at coping with rather than changing the situation, and largely ineffective in compensating for declining real wages, rising prices and diminishing income generating opportunities. The relationship between changes at household level and specific policy measures were assessed and the evidence indicates that both income and gender based inequalities have, to date, been exacerbated by ESAP. The Social Dimensions of Adjustment poverty alleviation programme is very weak in its conceptualisation and implementation. The study emphasizes the need for more equitable and gender-sensitive strategies for development.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Microinsurance services have been operating in Ghana for the last decade, but the question whether they have enhanced the welfare of low-income households, mostly in the informal sector, is largely unresearched. In particular the study asks: does microinsurance improve the welfare of households through asset retention, consumption smoothing and inequality reduction? This question has been examined through the use of the 2010 FINSCOPE survey which contains in-depth information on 3 642 households across the rural and urban settings of the country. In order to control for selection bias and endogeneity bias, Heckman sample selection, instrumental variable and treatment effect models were employed for the evaluation. The results of the assessment have been compiled into four empirical essays. The first essay investigates the impact of microinsurance on household asset accumulation. The findings show that microinsurance has a positive welfare impact in terms of household asset accumulation. This suggests that microinsurance prevents asset pawning and liquidation of essential household assets at ‘give away’ prices. By absorbing the risk of low-income households, insurance equips them to cope effectively with risk, empowers them to escape poverty and sustains the welfare gains achieved. The second essay examines the impact of microinsurance on consumption smoothing. It delves into the capacity of microinsurance to enable households to avoid costly risk-coping methods which are detrimental to health and well-being. The results reveal that insured households are less likely to reduce the daily intake of meals, which is an indication that microinsurance is a better option for managing consumption smoothing among low-income households. The third essay investigates the effect of microinsurance on households’ asset inequality. The findings indicate that the asset inequality of insured households is less than that of uninsured households. Insured female-headed households have much lower asset inequality than male-headed households, but uninsured female-headed households are worse off than both uninsured and insured male-headed households. The regional trend reveals that developmental gaps impede the capacity of microinsurance to bridge the asset inequality gap. The fourth essay asks: Does microcredit improve the well-being of low-income households in the absence of microinsurance? The findings show a weak influence of microcredit on household welfare. However households using microcredit in combination with microinsurance derive significant gains in terms of welfare improvement. Microcredit may be good, but its real benefits to the poor is best realised if the poverty trapping risks are covered with microinsurance. To this extent, combining microcredit with microinsurance will empower the poor to make a sustainable exit from poverty. The findings of this thesis have pertinent policy implications for the government, the development community and stakeholders in the insurance industry. Microinsurance is a good instrument for improving the welfare of households and thus this research recommends its integration into the poverty reduction strategy of Ghana and a greater insurance inclusion for the lower end of the market.

Since 1999, there has been a significant increase in the number of food insecure individuals in the United States. The Great Recession (2007-2009) and slow economic recovery has led to additional increases in rates of food insecurity and the usage of emergency food assistance programs. Thirty qualitative interviews with individuals seeking emergency food assistance at a Tampa Bay food pantry were conducted. Interviews focused on collecting the life experiences of participants, the barriers they face in having food security, their strategies to cope with limited food budgets, and how food insecurity impacts their household's overall health and wellbeing. Recommendations for fulfilling the immediate need for food as well as addressing the larger issues that lead to and perpetuate food insecurity and hunger are presented in this paper. In collaboration with the food pantry, a booklet presenting personal experiences of hunger alongside broad institutional forces affecting food insecurity was disseminated in the community in hopes of increasing awareness of and support for combating this important social issue.

Volatile and rising global fuel prices present a tremendous challenge to our energy-dependent economy, and the ramifications are especially great for low-income households. Residential weatherization programs represent a tremendous opportunity to shield vulnerable populations, but the allocation of funding and assessment of efficacy has historically been fraught with political and procedural hurdles. This report examines the methods of assessing the efficacy of low-income weatherization and proposes a set of best practices. / text

Alors qu’il semble acquis par la plupart des acteurs de la construction et du logement que l’évolution de la réglementation a joué un rôle non négligeable dans la hausse des prix des logements neufs au cours des années 2000 en France, cette thèse se propose d’interroger le lien entre accroissement des prix, renforcement normatif et accessibilité économique des logements neufs pour les ménages modestes. Autrement dit, ces logements à haute valeur réglementaire sont-ils devenus trop chers pour accueillir les plus modestes d’entre nous ? Dans une démarche plus empirique que théorique, notre recherche consiste en la construction d’un faisceau d’indices permettant d’éclairer cette question à partir d’exploitations statistiques, de monographies et d’entretiens avec les acteurs de la construction.Nous nous attachons à étudier les mécanismes de fixation des prix des logements neufs à la vente et à la location, leur évolution brute et en lien avec les revenus des ménages, ainsi que la comparaison avec le prix des logements anciens. Après avoir retracé l’évolution de la réglementation dans le logement, un recensement des surcoûts évalués dans la littérature fait le jour sur la faiblesse des arguments appuyant la thèse d’une hausse des prix induite par le renforcement réglementaire au cours des années 2000. C’est pourquoi nous tentons de mesurer scientifiquement l’impact de la réglementation sur les prix de revient et les prix de vente des logements en faisant notamment appel à la modélisation hédonique et à des monographies. Bien que, finalement, la réglementation ne semble pas avoir été l’un des déterminants majeurs de l’accroissement des prix des logements neufs, la question de leur accessibilité économique continue à se poser. L’étude du peuplement des logements neufs, de son évolution et du cas particulier de la représentation des ménages modestes au sein de ce parc éclaire cette question / While it appears to be common knowledge that regulatory developments in the construction sector contributed to increase prices for new housing in the 2000s in France, this thesis questions the seemingly causal link between construction regulation and housing prices, and explores its impact for low-income households. Using a more empirical than theoretical methodology, our research consists of building a body of evidence to clarify this question on the basis of statistical evaluation, monographs and interviews with stakeholders in the construction sector.In this perspective we intend to determine the pricing mechanism for new housing, whether for rent or for sale, and explore the price development against households incomes and compare their value with old housing. After setting out the successive evolutions of housing regulation, our literature review, which in particular highlights evaluated additional costs, proves that increase in housing prices is not directly related to regulation. Our research will try to scientifically measure the impact of these new regulations on prediction and purchase prices through the use of hedonic regressions. Although we argue regulation has not been one of the principal determinants of the price increases of new housing, factors affecting their affordability remains an open question. We propose to study the evolution of the new housing population, with particular attention to the low income households

Magister Economicae - MEcon / Livelihoods are essential for poverty alleviation. A poor person’s life cannot be transformed at all if the person has no means of earning a substantial income to sustain daily living. In today’s world many people rely on human capital for livelihoods. This is usually in the form of skills or educational qualifications that permit an individual to find employment. However, not every person is able to get meaningful employment which can generate an income to allow the person to live above the poverty lines. Generating an income from employment is not a livelihoods strategy that is available to many South Africans as the country has high unemployment rates and an economy that is performing poorly. In addition the overspill of institutionalised inequality from the apartheid era has many South Africans living in poverty. The South African government is promoting Small Micro and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMMEs) as a key strategy for job creation, economic growth for poverty alleviation and a reduction in inequalities. Many poor people in urban areas adopt micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy. The research assessed the impact of micro enterprises on the livelihoods of low income households in Khayelitsha. The objectives of the research were; (a) to determine the impact that micro enterprises have on the livelihoods of low income households; (b) to ascertain how low income households identify micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy; (c) to identify how household assets were allocated to livelihoods strategies; (d) to determine how low income households operate micro enterprises; and (e) to identify challenges faced by low income households in earning a livelihood through micro enterprises. A qualitative research design was used for the study because the aims of the research were to get an insight as to how people’s lives had transformed by adopting micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy. To this end, in-depth interviews and observation data collection methods were employed. A study sample of 22 participants was drawn using non-probability sampling. Grounded theory was used for data analysis. Coded data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet which was used to generate graphs and tables. The findings indicate that micro enterprises as a livelihoods strategy have a positive impact on the livelihoods of many households in Khayelitsha. The impact is more significant because many households who engage in micro enterprises do not have other options for livelihoods strategies. Furthermore, many households reported to be better off operating a micro enterprise rather than being employed. Some households reported dissatisfaction with micro enterprises because they could not determine beforehand how much income would be generated making it difficult to plan monthly household expenditure. None the less micro enterprises enabled households to provide shelter, food, education for children and family members, health care and provision of household furniture. The results also indicate that for many micro enterprise owners the lack of financial capital was the biggest challenge because it prevented capital investment. High competition was also a challenge that a few owners were not able to overcome. On the whole the study concluded that micro enterprises are a good livelihoods strategy for the poor and could keep many South Africans above the poverty line.

Magister Artium - MA / Access to adequate housing is one of the most debated issues in democratic South Africa. The government continues to battle with existing backlogs in the provision of housing and a seemingly increasing demand. At the same time, urban populations take to the streets to register their anger and frustration at the slow progress of service delivery as a whole, including housing and other basic services. Clearly this is an important issue in the country, one that has inspired great public debate and further engagement between the state and the people. Notably, this dissatisfaction endures despite the fact that South Africa’s post-apartheid government discourse on state-society relations has centred on greater participation, especially at local government level, as reflected in the commitment to participatory democracy in the South African constitution. Despite this, in general government housing policy has focused on ensuring the delivery of houses to the people rather than the participatory processes in the provision of housing. The 1994 Housing White Paper took an ‘incremental’ or ‘progressive’ approach to housing, which is a developer driven approach that limits the participation of ordinary citizens in the provision of housing, despite the government’s commitment to enabling participation. The introduction of the People’s Housing Process (PHP) in 1998 (later revised and became the Enhanced People’s Housing Process) was a breakthrough in government’s efforts for the involvement of communities in the housing process. However, even this initiative was criticised for its lack of any meaningful participation, as the contribution of individual residents and communities was limited to the implementation process, while the policy decisions were still in government hands. The revision of this policy and the broadening of the housing policy through Breaking New Ground were meant to encourage community ownership of housing provision and empower them beyond the limitations of the PHP. Notably, the meaning of participation encoded in housing programmes, particularly those such as the PHP, is taken for granted. It is assumed that participation will occur in a straight forward process. However, as this demonstrates, effective participatory processes necessitate particular forms of representation for beneficiaries. Designing an effective participatory mechanism thus requires paying attention to new practices of representation as well as new practices of participation. In the participatory housing processes in particular such representation is essential as the direct participation of communities in decision making might not be feasible at some points in the process, hence, community residents need people that will communicate and make decisions on their behalf in engaging with government. The South African literature on state-society relations is largely silent on the relationship between representation and participatory processes, thus there is limited analysis on local level leaders that become part of these participatory processes. This is the gap that this study explores in relation to housing through a case-study of the role of local community leaders in a People’s Housing Process housing project in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay. It aims to understand the significance of the representative role played by local leaders who are not part of the formal democratic system of representation in development participatory processes. In exploring the Niall Mellon Housing Project as a case study, the research illustrates three main points: first, local leaders played a crucial role in the housing project. They initiated and implemented the programme and contributed to the overall success of the project. Indeed it is sensible to assume that organised and legitimate local leaders are essential to development projects as they are able to provide an effective link between government and the community. Second, since these local leaders are not part of the established democratic system of representation, their status is vulnerable to contestation. Local leaders lack the formal authority that usually occurs in representation modes that require explicit authorisation or those formalised as part of the state system of representation. Their position can easily be challenged and their legitimacy questioned. Third, development projects such as the one under investigation also create these kinds of legitimacy crisis. This is due to the competition for scarce government resources introduced by the development projects. Thus, those who feel excluded from the project may retaliate and question the actions of the local leaders. Hence, even though community leaders are useful in this participatory process, the state of their position is vulnerable and their legitimacy can be undermined by the very process that needs their participation.

A thorough examination of policies and guidelines tailored towards enabling access to land and housing in Gaborone suggests incongruences' inherent in these strategies. Besides, planners and policymakers' continuous oversight to recognise the complexities of the urban everyday survival strategies and the lived experiences of the populace needs to be investigated. Numerous interventions have been introduced to facilitate land and housing access for low-income households in Gaborone. Even so, restricted access to these assets remains an enormous task, proven complex and problematic to resolve. The empirical evidence specifies the predominant situation articulated by a clash of rationalities between policies and everyday socio-economic practices of access to land and housing by low income households in Gaborone. The investigation of these tensions between policies promoting access to land and housing and the advocacy of the Self-Help Housing Agency as the primary rationale for home building and ownership by low-income households in Gaborone was articulated through policy assessment and analysis. Furthermore, in-depth interviews to appreciate the affected populace's lived experiences in response to the practicality of these policies was conducted. In terms of findings, this research has established that urban environments are persistently transformed with new configurations relating to access to land and housing frequently surfacing. Moreover, urban land and housing management policies fail to get in touch with the complexities of grassroots experience with access to land and housing in Gaborone. There is also the entrenchment of low-income households in a vicious circle of poverty and living precariously at the urban fringes with no security of tenure and affordable housing opportunities. All these experiences and practices resonate with the current endeavours to evaluate the realities of accessing land and housing resources in cities, as well as their correlation with promoting livelihood strategies for low-income households.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper proposes broad guidelines that the formal insurance companies in South Africa should follow when entering the low-income market, specifically LSM 1-5. The guidelines follow on a SWOT analysis of the formal insurance providers present in the informal market. After discussing the risks that the poor face and the riskmitigating strategies that they employ, we identify the opportunities and threats of this market segment. The strengths and weaknesses of the formal institutions are deduced from observations of how the informal institutions supply the credit, savings on which the poor rely. Important lessons and principles that are conducive to servicing the needs of the poor are discussed. To break into this market requires new distribution channels, new products and premium collection methods. The guidelines therefore suggest that strategic alliances be established with informal institutions to enable leverage of their networks and knowledge and to streamline the process. New products designed should incorporate the social features of the informal institutions concerned. New technology, such as prepaid vouchers and vending machines, should be investigated as possible ways of collecting premiums through bank accounts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie dokument stel voor 'n wye gids wat die formele sektor van versekeraars in Suid-Afrika moet volg binne die lae-inkomste mark, spesifiek LSM 1-5. Hierdie riglyne is baseer op 'n SWOT-analise van formele versekerings verskaffers binne die informele mark. Eers moet die risiko en strategie wat die lae-inkomste sektor volg bespreek word, daarna moet die geleenthede en bedreigings van hierdie deel van die mark ge'identifiseer word. Die sterk- en swakhede van die formele en informele instellings moet waargeneem word, spesifiek hoe hulle krediet en versekerings produkte verskaf. 'n Baie belangrike aspek hiervan is hoe dienstig dit is vir die lae inkomste groepe. Om binne hierdie mark te breek, benodig dit nuwe verspreidings kanale, nuwe produkte en premium kollektiewe metodes. Hierdie riglyne benodig 'n strategiese bondgenootskap met informele instansies sodat dit die kennis en netwerke kan versterk in 'n vaartbelynde proses. Nuwe produkte wat ontwerp word moet sosiale aspekte van die informele sektor in ag neem. Nuwe tegnologie soos vooruitbetaalde kwitansie en muntautomaat masjiene moet ondersoek word as moontlike maniere om premies te kollekteer deur bank rekenings.

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