Housing conditions in Palestinian refugee camps, Jordan

This paper evaluates the quality of housing in a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan. 1,951,603 refugees live in Jordan, and one fifth live in thirteen refugee camps established following Arab-Israeli conflicts in 1948 and 1967. These camps are characterised by poor living conditions and associated health, social and environmental problems. However, there is scant empirical evidence regarding the quality of the housing in these camps. This paper addresses that gap by reporting on the findings of a questionnaire survey of 186 household units in Baqa'a, the largest of the camps. The quantitative survey was triangulated by a series of extensive fieldwork visits to the area. Findings reveal that the housing in the camp is generally substandard. Poor structure and maintenance are key problems and this paper identifies and discusses various challenges, political and practical, that stand in the way of housing improvements. The paper concludes by suggesting that new models of responsibility need to be forged between the stakeholders in order to break the current stalemate.