Understanding the housing challenges and pathways of young adults in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

The global housing affordability crisis remains a critical issue for policymakers. Central to this crisis is the situation of young adults (aged 24-34) who face an increasingly expensive housing market and poor employment conditions. In African cities, where young adults constitute the dominant urban population and face severe challenges accessing housing, their experiences have surprisingly not received adequate attention. With Accra sharing ~20% of Ghana’s staggering housing deficit of 1.8 million units, the housing challenge of young adults is more pronounced. The paper fills this gap by addressing two research questions: 1) How are young adults experiencing and navigating the housing market in Accra? 2) What factors influence their housing practices? Using the pathways analytical framework, the paper uses in-depth interviews with 30 young adults living in Accra to explore their experiences and how they navigate their path to housing. The findings suggest most young adults are facing major challenges, including the inability to find decent and affordable housing units, maintain rents, and insecurity. It further shows that young adults in Accra navigate complex routes, including perching, squatting, sharing rooms, renting, and co-residence, to secure housing amidst shortage and affordability issues. These pathways are a combination of social relations and opportunities.  The paper explains the housing challenges of young adults, the factors shaping their distinct housing pathways, and the implications for the future of African cities. The paper concludes that there is an urgent need for effective policies and interventions to address young adult housing conditions in Accra.