CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF SQUATTER SETTLEMENT: THE CASE OF ADAMA CITY,

The squatter settlement is the area occupied by the individual or group of people without legal permission or recognition of municipality authorities. The study was conducted in Adama city to find the cause and consequence of squatter settlements. The trend of squatter settlement, the root cause of the squatter settlement, the socio characteristic of squatter settlement and the effect of squatter settlement are the specific objective of the study. The primary data required for the analysis were collected through household interview and focus group discussion. Appropriate sample size was taken by using snow boll method of systematic random sampling technique. Accordingly, 386 interviewees were taken from the total target population of 11,200 of taken from Four Kebeles (Melka Adama, Daka Adi, Dabe Soloke, and Boku Shanan) from the 18 total Kebeles. In addition to this, key informant interview, focus group discussion and field observation were used to collect primary data. Different Published and unpublished secondary data were collected from different sources. To describe the data, the researcher used statistical tools such as tables, graphs and charts. The finding of this study revealed that, the root cause identified for squatter settlement are shortage of residential house and its consequential high price of house rent, the need of holding large plot of land and inefficient land administration system. The other finding indicated that, squatter settlement has negative impact on both the government and the squatter. It created fear and lack of confidence on the land they hold illegally, poor infrastructure due to lack of government intervention and low social service delivery, social distress within the community. The study also found out that squatting displaces the host ex-farmers from their farmland and leads to consequent poverty and livelihood disasters. This situation increased the population of the city and created shortage of house that lead them to search plots of land for house construction. This condition forced them to buy illegal lands from the farmers. This makes the high rate of expansion of illegal settlers and open market for illegal brokers who have an upper hand in facilitating the purchasing process. It was recommended that, political will in accessing residential land and financial commitment of the government is required. Active participation of the public and abiding legal procedures of getting residential land was vital 4<br>