Residential housing provision, affordability, challenges, and policy frameworks in Ethiopia: a systematic review

Housing is a fundamental requirement for human beings and a critical need for citizens. To date, no systematic review has been conducted on housing issues in Ethiopia. This study aims to examine residential housing provision, affordability, challenges, and policy frameworks in the country. Research conducted from 2004 to 2022 was identified using search engines such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Taylor and Francis, and MDPI, along with other internet search tools. The final search was conducted on June 15, 2023, and was limited to the English language. Out of the 113 documents reviewed, thirty-seven studies were found to be eligible. The findings indicate that housing provision in Ethiopia has varied across three periods: before 1975, from 1975 to 1991, and from 1991 to the present. The major challenges facing housing provision in Ethiopia include high urban population density, inefficient land management, planning issues, lack of good governance, insufficient financing, absence of a sound housing policy, and weak implementation mechanisms. Among the various policy frameworks, the urban lease policy currently serves as the guiding policy for the country. In conclusion, despite the government's efforts, housing demand has been steadily increasing. This underscores the urgent need for effective housing policies and comprehensive approaches to address the gaps in providing adequate and affordable residential housing.