A systematic review of social capital in low-cost housing: A conceptual framework and lessons learned

Abstract

There are perennial challenges facing the self-organisation (collective action) of low-cost (social) housing, particularly socioeconomic constraints, complexity in management, and insufficient stakeholder support. Despite numerous housing research focusing on the physical and institutional aspects to address the collective action dilemmas, detailed analyses of the roles of social capital are relatively few. Thus, this review attempts to elucidate and synthesize significant insights utilising Schwitter's social capital framework, focusing on factors conducive to the effective self-organisation of low-cost housing communities. To this end, the review process adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, where twenty-eight (28) studies were ultimately selected for in-depth analysis. The review suggested that social capital, primarily discussed at two levels (individual and community) encompassing social networks, trustworthiness, and obligations, the collective impact of system control, system trust, and system morality, plays a role in overcoming poverty, overcoming passivity due to individual apathy, assisting local management in rules enforcement, cultivating social relations to transcend market-oriented organisation, and fostering collaboration with external stakeholders in community development. Apart from conceptualising social capital theories in low-cost housing, the findings offer policy insights and practical strategies to policy-makers and local communities.