MAURITIUS SHELTER SECTOR ANALYSIS

The major areas presented are an overview and dimensions of the shelter problem, characteristics of the population, programs and institutions, shelter delivery systems, and prospects and analyses. Numerous tables, maps, and figures show populations, construction rates, distributions, budgets, and other pertinent data. The chapter on prospects and analyses undertakes an in-depth analysis of existing programs, institutions and the construction sector. This analysis leads to a series of recommendations by the team as to how present programs and institutions can be revised and adapted to better meet the shelter needs of the total population. Particular attention is given to cyclone Gervaise victims and of low-income families in general. The findings and recommendations of the team are summarized under three main headings: reducing construction standards; increasing institutional capacity; and increasing construction sector efficiency. Some of the recommendations are to: reduce standards in the present program from completed units being built to core units which are still cyclone proof; reduce infrastructure standards and increase densities such that projects can become economically feasible; design comprehensive projects to combine core units with completed middle-income houses; and channel housing improvement to low-income families in general. This assessment attempts to describe the existing shelter sector in Mauritius and to identify and analyze possible shelter packages which would contribute to the resolution of shelter problems in general. The options recommended are considered realistic in order to maximize the use of available human and financial resources, both formal and informal, in meeting existing and future housing needs.