Narratives of Caribbean housing flows: step-by-step development and changes in self-organized homes in St. Martin

Purpose The global housing shortage, intensified by climate change, poses unique challenges for low-income populations, particularly in regions highly vulnerable to environmental hazards, such as the Caribbean. This study investigates housing in Saint Martin, where communities face severe housing shortages and increased exposure to climate-related threats, such as Hurricane Irma in 2017. With limited external support, many residents have adopted self-building strategies, constructing and incrementally modifying their homes to withstand local environmental risks and accommodate changing needs. Design/methodology/approach This research, conducted through ethnographic observations and semi-structured interviews with 30 residents, explores how low- and middle-income households built and adapted their homes over time, focusing on the construction process, materials, forms and aspects of safety, comfort and beauty. It follows the narratives of six housing units that exemplify a proposed housing typology and documents residents’ efforts to enhance durability, functionality and aesthetics under challenging circumstances. Findings The findings highlight that self-organized housing practices in Saint Martin are shaped by financial constraints, climate risks and evolving household needs. Residents use incremental construction, climate-responsive design elements, materials perceived as durable and community-based support to adapt their homes. Originality/value Documented housing practices reflect both resilience and cultural expression, emphasizing the need for community-inclusive, safe, flexible and climate-adapted housing design approaches. Additionally, by analyzing these adaptive strategies, the study offers insights for the Designing for Flow Framework, promoting housing solutions that align with local contexts and contribute to sustainable development in hazard-prone areas like the Caribbean.