Republic of Liberia, shelter sector analysis

THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA IS EXPERIENCING A RATE OF POPULATION GROWTH OF ABOUT THREE PERCENT ANNUALLY AND A GROWTH RATE OF EIGHT TO TEN PERCENT IN ITS URBAN POPULATION. THIS HAS CAUSED A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF URBAN HOUSING AND IS STRAINING THE GOVERNMENT"S ABILITY TO PROVIDE URBAN SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF MONROVIA. WHILE THE GOVERNMENT"S STATEMENT OF ITS 1976-1980 DEVELOPMENT PLAN RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM AND CONTAINS SUITABLE PRIORITIES, THIS CURRENT EVALUATION SHOWS THAT THE GAP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT POLICY OBJECTIVES AND ACTUAL PERFORMANCE IS WIDENING. THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THIS: LACK OF AVAILABLE LAND IN SUITABLE LOCATIONS; INFLATION IN BUILDING COSTS; SHORTAGES OF SKILLED WORKMEN AND SUPERVISORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY; RISING COSTS OF UTILITIES; AND THE LACK OF A MASTER PLAN FOR LAND USE. THERE ARE ALSO GOVERNMENT OBSTACLES: LACK OF A CLEAR DEFINITION OF THE ROLES OF PUBLIC AGENCIES AND MINISTRIES; AND INSUFFICIENT COORDINATION AMONG THESE AGENCIES; AND ADMINISTRATIVE INEFFICIENCY. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN MOST SERIOUS WITHIN THE NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY. (NHA) TO DATE THE AGENCY HAS CONCENTRATED ON DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING FOR MIDDLE AND UPPER-INCOME GROUPS, RATHER THAN FOR THE LOW-INCOME POPULATION IDENTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS MOST IN NEED OF GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE NHA HAS BEGUN TO SHIFT ITS ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME GROUPS. THE ADVICE OF THE UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TEAM IN 1974 REMAINS VALID -- THAT SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED UNTIL REPLACEMENT HOUSING IS AVAILABLE.