SECTION 7 - HOUSING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

FUNCTIONS / IMPORTANCE OF A HOME FOR A FAMILY

1. The main function is to provide shelter and protection from the weather.

2. It is a place where basic needs such as eating, sleeping and keeping clean are met.

3. It provides a sense of safety, security and belonging for family members.

4. It develops ones personality and defines their lifestyle – sense of identity and creativity.

5. It provides privacy and a place to deal with personal and family life

6. For home owners, it provides a sense of ownership

The surroundings of a house should be clean and safe. The physical standard of living must provide a
quality of life and create an atmosphere that suits the family.

ACQUISITION OF A HOUSE

1. BY INHERITANCE

Inheriting property is a good addition to your financial worth. There is an emotional element to it. It
can be very tricky if you have inherited the property where the mortgage payments are still being
made.

2. PURCHASE

The act of buying a house is divided into two parts. The first part is deciding the type of house
required. The second part is the cost.

Decision have to include: whether the purchase will be towards

a) building a house or buying a house

b) If buying – then an older built house or newer one

c) type of building – A Single family dwelling or multiple dwelling

d) Cost per month – mortgages, rent, utility bills, home maintenance

3. RENTING

A house to live in can be rented which offers a flexibility to the family. Location, cost, and a home
that meets the family needs, are important to look into before moving into a rented
accommodation.
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE SELECTION OF A HOUSE (whether building, renting
or buying a house)

1. THE LOCATION / SITE–Housing should ideally be on flat land, but the family must consider
what the area would be like during the rainy season. Is there proper drainage for flood water to run
off?

Some islands are hilly and while it may be scenic, getting to the top of the hill may not be easy during
a wet day. There may also be water problems unless they can afford a water tank and an electric
pump.

Houses located at the foot of a hill may be susceptible to landslides or flooding. Similarly house near
the sea may be endangered during tropical storms.

2. THE AMENITIES - When the father is a breadwinner, the choice of housing may be related to
his job. The family may choose to be close to essential facilities – health services, educational
facilities, shopping centres, recreational facilities, protective facilities such as the police and fire
services OR in isolated areas far away from the crowds.

3. THE PRICE/COST – The amount of money a family can spend on housing will determine the
type of house. While loans are available, one has to manage the mortgage payments on a monthly
basis.

This is also applicable for selecting a rented house. Monthly rent should form not more than 25 – 30
% of your combined monthly income, with allowances for other monthly expenses as food & utility
bills, etc.

4. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD – The neighbourhood should be safe for the family. The family will
have to consider the type of people in the neighbourhood into which they will move into. Most people
in a particular neighbourhood are similar in age, income level, and occupation.

A high-density neighbourhood will have many small houses close together in small plot sizes. This
results in a crowed neighbourhood. This may be distasteful for some who prefer a private
neighbourhood.

5 FAMILY SIZE – The house should be big enough for the family with an adequate number of
rooms for children and additional space for entertaining. Lifestyle is a factor in the type and size of
house selected.

6. THE CONDITION OF THE HOUSE – One must carefully examine if the house is in order. It
may be new or older. The layout and flow of the house, size, as well as the way it looks are all very
important to a buyer or renter. The updating costs on older house will have to be considered for a
buyer.

7. THE ORIENTATION (layout) OF THE HOUSE - The family may be particular about the
direction in which the house faces. This means the position of the house with regard to rain, wind,
sunshine. In the Caribbean with a hot an humid type of climate, it is preferable for the house to face
an east-west direction. It is also important for the rooms that are used for most hours of the day
(kitchen, living room) to have most of the morning sun while it minimizes the hot afternoon sun. A
good ventilation is needed with windows facing the direction in which the wind blows.
FACTORS THAT EFFECT THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND AESTHETIC WELL-BEING OF A HOUSE

1. Layout 2. Space 3. Lighting & ventilation 4. Furnishings 5. Decorative

accessories

TYPES OF HOUSING - Features of different types of houses

Some type of housing common in the Caribbean are:

SINGLE- FAMILY DWELLINGS

1. COTTAGE - A one-storey house ( ground floor only) with rooms and all the other facilities for
living.

2. BUNGALOW – It is similar to a cottage. It is a one-storey house usually low and with a wide front
patio.

3. TOWN HOUSE - A self-contained two –storey house attached to similar houses in a row. (usually
with bedrooms upstairs and living and other facilities downstairs) Townhouse living has become
popular in cities especially where land space is limited.

4. DUPLEX – Two separate independent cottage-like houses joined together by a single wall or by a
carport.

MULTIPLE DWELLINGS

5. APARTMENT – A separate, self contained unit with all conveniences (living, dining, sleeping) on
one floor. An apartment building may have several storeys. It has become a popular choice for small
families.

6. CONDOMINIUM – An apartment building in which each unit is self- contained and independent
but, in addition, includes services such as restaurant, barbershop, boutique etc., within the same
building or within the same compound.

MOBILE HOME
7. CARAVAN – A mobile house or “house on wheels.” Many families live in caravans until they are
able to own one of the more permanent types of housing.

RENTING VERSUS BUYING

ADVANTAGES FOR RENTING DISADVANTAGES FOR OWNERSHIP

Expenses are clearly indicated – eg. rent, Owners have to look after the expenses of
utilities maintaining the property

No loss of money if the value of the property Homeowners have to take a lost during the sale
declines of property, if the value of the property
declines

Renter can easily move to another location Homeowner has to sell property before he
moves

Renters do not have to provide the initial The initial outlay for the house, which is costly
payment for the house (down payment, has to be met by the owner.
insurance, taxes, closing costs, installation of
utilities – water, elec.)

Renter does not have the responsibility for the Homeowner is responsible to keep the property
management and upkeep of the property in good condition at all times

ADVANTAGES OF OWNERSHIP DISADVANTAGES OF RENTING

Home ownership is a form of saving – monthly Rent is an expenditure that is spent on housing
mortgages go towards the loan repayment on a monthly basis

Home can be passed on down to the next After years of spending on housing, with no
generation chance of ownership

Home ownership give a sense of freedom Landlord may not allow people with small
children or pets to rent their property.
Repairs and changes to the building cannot be
undertaken

Homeowners receive tax benefits Tax benefits on rented property do not apply

Home ownership helps protect against inflation During inflation, the price of rents increase and
– when prices go up, the value of the house it may be difficult to find a home that is
increases affordable.

Home owners take pride in ownership Renting does not give a sense of ownership