Predicaments of Accessing Rental Housing by People with Physical Disability in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

This paper presents study findings regarding private rental housing in urban settlements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with specific reference to people with physical disabilities especially the lame and handicapped. The major objective of the study was to procure deep understanding of the access to private rental housing by the lame and handicapped section of the society living in urban areas; and use of the infrastructure services related therewith. Reseach method used is case study where by interview questions were addressed to different actors. Focus group discussion, taking measurements and literature review were also used as data collection tools. The study revealed that neither the current policy nor the legal frameworks address the issue of access to rental housing by the lame and the handicapped in the prevailing private rental housing market in urban areas. Furthermore, body characteristics of the lame and handicapped, affordability of brokers fees and monthly rentals were ranked most highly among the challenges facing the lame and handicapped when searching for rental houses. The challenges pertaining to the use of the commonly shared housing infrastructure services, lack of hygiene on outdoor environment and unfavourable house and toilet/bathroom designs were noted as critical challenges related to the use of the commonly shared housing infrastructure services. The paper recommends that the lame and handicapped need to be considered as a priority and vulnerable group which need special attention in housing policy aspects. A direction of procedures to guide the lame and handicapped house seekers searching for a rental house and institutionalizing a rent regulatory body are considered paramount.