The problem of oversharing living space is straining the country’s infrastructure network, as the Central Municipal Council (CMC) discussed last week. With most regular (single unit) residential properties out of the reach of the average low-income expatriate, it has become a common practice for people to crowd into buildings in the name of “sharing”.
But the “accommodation available” advertisements carefully skirt around the issue of whether space is actually available in these structures.
A grey market is quietly functioning as seen by the number of individuals who earn a neat income as “brokers” for shared accommodation that has been created out of a single property. But the crowding also exposes the electricity and drainage grids of these homes to excessive wear and tear.
The increased number of residents in a single house divided into many sub units leads to an overburdened electricity network, especially during summer.
This results in disruption in electricity supply as many air-conditioners and electrical appliances, including refrigerators, work simultaneously.
Overloading the electrical network could easily result in fires.
There are many reasons why expatriates opt for shared accommodation. The desire to stay with the family at a low cost is the primary concern. Many people who cannot afford to maintain their families long-term in individual housing units prefer to bring them over during vacation periods. Shared accommodation that comes with furnishing is a cost-effective way for them to live with their families.
But the effect of shared accommodation cannot just be viewed from the prism of economics during the holidays.
Living in unnaturally crowded surroundings can affect the mental and physical health of residents. Cooped up within the confines of the plywood partitions, residents of such buildings usually find themselves contracting health problems such as asthma and skin diseases due to the lack of ventilation and hygiene.
Children growing up without the space for physical activity are usually forced to spend long periods of time in front of the television or computer, leading to the early onset of vision problems and also obesity.
The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries have been attracting professionals from all over the world since the discovery of oil in the 1970s. But the recent steady growth rates recorded by other economies may persuade many of the talented expatriates to migrate, as there are gains to be made either in quality of life or the income levels.
If the GCC nations want to retain the talent pool of the foreign workforce, they have to seriously consider improving their housing options. Qatar has already made a start in this direction, by regulating accommodation for labourers. It needs to also work on making more affordable family housing available for mid- to low-income expatriates that will slowly do away with shared accommodation.