MBARE - HOUSING TYPOLOGIES MBARE HOSTELS
was a housing programme initiated by the 1940 Salisbury Town Council. The houses were built for the industrial workers. Colonial urban housing policies were made to restrict migration and overcrowding, but when Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980, the housing restrictions ceased, and the flats became overcrowded. Over the years, the quality of the housing has deteriorated. Today, most of the hostel’s infrastructure has collapsed and bathrooms are dysfunctional. The flats were built to house a single person, but today families from 8-15 people share a
single-room flat. The large quantity of people living in the flats have exceeded the amount of services in the area. The occupants are exposed to hazards such as fires and disease outbreaks, as there is no running water or sanitation. As the flats have been ruled unfit for human habitation and family accomodation, the tenure status is not secure. However, at the time of writing this journal, the tenants pay an average of $50/month for a room, which is way beyond the reach of the majority of residents. It is an ongoing discussion whether to demolish the flats or initiate an upgrading programme for the entire area.
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