Empowering Homa Bay’s Informal Settlements: A Locally Led Blueprint for Climate Adaptation
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cross the globe, informal settlements highlight one of today’s most pressing urban challenges: how to provide safe and dignified housing, reliable infrastructure, and long-term resilience in the face of climate change—especially for low-income populations. In Homa Bay County, on the eastern shores of Lake Victoria, a groundbreaking initiative is turning this challenge into an opportunity for transformation and local empowerment.
A Locally Led Adaptation Approach
The Homa Bay Municipality People’s Adaptation Planning Project—funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and supported by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), the County Government of Homa Bay, Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT), and Tom Mboya University—places local communities at the core of climate adaptation and urban development. Recognizing that top-down approaches often fall short, this project empowers residents from three informal settlements within the Municipality of Homa Bay, along with three neighboring settlements, to collaboratively chart a path toward safer housing, better infrastructure, and stronger resilience to climate shocks.
Why does local leadership matter? In many informal settlements, residents face acute vulnerabilities, from dilapidated housing to limited or nonexistent public services. These problems intensify under rising temperatures, unpredictable droughts, flooding, and extreme weather events—conditions that are increasingly common in the Lake Victoria Basin. By involving community members in every step, the Homa Bay project ensures that on-the-ground realities and local expertise inform how solutions are designed, tested, and ultimately adopted.
Mapping the Way Forward
Central to this effort are two foundational tools: a basemap and a comprehensive situational analysis report.
- Basemap Development: Using GIS technology, local communities actively collect and share data about land use, infrastructure, and environmental features. This ensures that every stakeholder—from residents to county officials—has a precise, up-to-date reference for planning and development projects.
- Situational Analysis Report: A robust household numbering system, designed with input from community members, is the backbone of this report. This locally informed dataset captures socio-economic conditions, current access to basic services, environmental risks, and governance structures. By combining grassroots insights with technical expertise, the report paints a complete picture of where these settlements stand and where they need to go.
Shaping a Resilient Future
Informed by the basemap and the situational analysis, the project will guide the creation of the Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan (LPLUDP)—known locally as the People’s Adaptation Plan. This official document will outline a holistic, locally driven blueprint for everything from safe, affordable housing to reliable water and sanitation systems. By placing residents at the heart of decision-making, the plan ensures that any future development in Homa Bay not only acknowledges current challenges but proactively builds resilience against an unpredictable climate.
Addressing the Water and Sanitation Crisis
One of the most pressing obstacles for informal settlements in Homa Bay is the lack of clean, affordable water and proper sewage disposal. Despite being situated along Africa’s largest lake, local communities often pay a steep premium for water due to inadequate infrastructure and the costs of transporting water via bicycles and tuk-tuks. This scarcity exacerbates poverty and exposes residents to waterborne diseases. In line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, the People’s Adaptation Plan prioritizes affordable water access and improved sanitation facilities as key levers for reducing vulnerability, protecting public health, and fostering economic growth.
From Survival to Socio-Economic Potential
By focusing on locally led adaptation, the Homa Bay Municipality People’s Adaptation Planning Project demonstrates that resilient communities are also more vibrant and prosperous. When local stakeholders shape the future of their own settlements—whether by helping design a new water system or planning safer housing—outcomes are more equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the realities on the ground.
As climate change continues to test the resilience of Lake Victoria Basin communities, Homa Bay’s example sends a powerful message: when communities lead, they can transform informal settlements into thriving, forward-looking neighborhoods that protect both people and the planet. By intertwining local knowledge with expert support, Homa Bay is crafting a blueprint for urban development that can inspire other vulnerable regions around the world, proving that the most effective adaptation strategies are the ones rooted in community-driven action.
The ideas presented in this article aim to inspire adaptation action – they are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Global Center on Adaptation.
