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Housing and Health in Ghana: The Psychosocial Impacts of Renting a Home

Author

Listed:
  • Isaac Luginaah

    (Department of Geography, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Godwin Arku

    (Department of Geography, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Philip Baiden

    (Department of Sociology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study investigating the impacts of renting a home on the psychosocial health of tenants in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA) in Ghana. In-depth interviews (n = 33) were conducted with private renters in Adabraka, Accra. The findings show that private renters in the AMA face serious problems in finding appropriate and affordable rental units, as well as a persistent threat of eviction by homeowners. These challenges tend to predispose renters to psychosocial distress and diminishing ontological security. Findings are relevant to a range of pluralistic policy options that emphasize both formal and informal housing provision, together with the reorganization and decentralization of the Rent Control Board to the district level to facilitate easy access by the citizenry.

Suggested Citation

  • Isaac Luginaah & Godwin Arku & Philip Baiden, 2010. "Housing and Health in Ghana: The Psychosocial Impacts of Renting a Home," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:2:p:528-545:d:7125
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Richard Grant, 2001. "Liberalization Policies and Foreign Companies in Accra, Ghana," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 33(6), pages 997-1014, June.
    2. Dunn, James R. & Hayes, Michael V., 2000. "Social inequality, population health, and housing: a study of two Vancouver neighborhoods," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 563-587, August.
    3. Smith, Carolyn A. & Smith, Christopher J. & Kearns, Robin A. & Abbott, Max W., 1993. "Housing stressors, social support and psychological distress," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 603-612, September.
    4. Dolores Acevedo‐Garcia & Theresa Osypuk & Rebecca Werbel & Ellen Meara & David Cutler & Lisa Berkman, 2004. "Does Housing Mobility Policy Improve Health?," Housing Policy Debate, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 49-98.
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