Category: Issue 39, Winter 2025

Salih Tosun

Abstract: The rapidly increasing housing and rental prices in Turkey are placing a strain on low- and middle-income households, leading to a rise in the rental burden and a decrease in housing affordability. This situation heightens tenants’ concerns about housing, negatively impacting mental health, well-being, and income distribution. This study aims to examine the housing issues faced by tenants in Turkey from a phenomenological approach, focusing on their effects on individuals’ mental health, general well-being, and income distribution. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 Turkish participants who had at least one year of rental experience between February and June 2024. Thematic analysis identified themes such as stress and anxiety, depression, quality of life, social welfare, housing policies, and income distribution balance, which were categorized under mental health, well-being, and income distribution. The study shows that the housing issue directly shapes tenants’ concerns about mental health, well-being, and income distribution, with mental health playing a central role in this interaction. The economic and psychological challenges experienced by tenants highlight the need for broader social and economic reforms in the housing market.

Keywords: Housing problem, Housing, Mental health, Social welfare, Income distribution

Salih Tosun
DOI: 10.29224/insanveinsan.1558813
Year 12, Issue 39, Winter 2025

Tam metin / Full text
(Turkish)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Pelin Şatıroğlu-Güldalı / Reyhan Atasü-Topcuoğlu

Abstract: Poverty, housing problems, and lack of access to adequate housing are closely connected. Poor families often have to live in inadequate housing and face stress and insecurity caused by housing issues, which are linked to psychological well-being. This study aims to reveal the housing conditions and psychological well-being levels of poor families receiving social assistance in Sinop. Using a quantitative research method and a survey model, the study conducted a questionnaire with 378 individuals benefiting from social assistance through quota sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the SPSS22 software package. It was also determined that families receiving social assistance are mostly tenants and therefore unable to benefit from housing maintenance support, which requires homeownership. Consequently, they often live in poorly maintained, low-quality housing. These houses lack tenure security, are unfit for living, and fail to meet the basic needs of the families. The challenges faced by families receiving social assistance highlight the urgent need to improve housing conditions.

Keywords: Poverty, Housing conditions, Social assistance, Adequate housing, Psychological well-being

Pelin Şatıroğlu-Güldalı / Reyhan Atasü-Topcuoğlu
DOI: 10.29224/insanveinsan.1559664
Year 12, Issue 39, Winter 2025

Tam metin / Full text
(Turkish)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Esma Aksoy Khurami / Manolya Aldıçoğlu

Abstract: This study aims to evaluate whether natural gas investments, considered energy-related improvements in urban areas, contribute to the welfare of households in coping with energy poverty. The difficulties experienced in the access and use of energy, a dimension of the right to housing, have been examined. The energy poverty experience of student households living in the Kötekli neighborhood of the Menteşe/Muğla has been evaluated with objective measurement methods through six-month panel data. In addition, student households are subjected to various questions during the semi-structured interviews to assess energy poverty subjectively. The results revealed no significant differences based on the six-month total average expenditures between the heating expenditures of those who benefit from the central heating system and the individual heating system. However, monthlyheating costs and their share in the students’ budget were evaluated separately; it was observed that there were cases in which students using the individual heating systemencountered different extreme values of energy cost. Even some turned off the heating completely to reduce costs. Finally, the study also revealed that the natural gas infrastructure investment developed after the construction of the units could not be used for other energy purposes.

Keywords: Energy poverty, Housing problem, Student, Individual heating, Central heating

Esma Aksoy Khurami / Manolya Aldıçoğlu
DOI: 10.29224/insanveinsan.1557358
Year 12, Issue 39, Winter 2025

Tam metin / Full text
(Turkish)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Siyret Ayas Şarman / Mehtap Demir

Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of forced migration caused by the earthquake, particularly focusing on the need for shelter, and to highlight the housing problems resulting from this migration based on individuals’ experiences. A qualitative research methodology was ussed, with the study designed as a phenomenological research. Interviews were conducted with participants who migrated to Kırklareli from one of the provinces most affected by the earthquake and decided to settle in this province. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed with the Maxqda Analytic Pro (24.5.1) package program. The findings were categorized under three themes: “Situation before the migration decision”, “Decision to migrate to Kırklareli” and “Situation after the migration decision”. These themes were evaluated within the context of releated the the need for shelter and housing problems. The effects of earthquake-induced migration on individuals were observed quite clearly. A common finding from the participants is as follows: Forced migration due to the earthquake has significantly impacted not only people’s housing needs but also housing markets in cities unaffected by the earthquake. When the safe and sustainable shelter needs of migrants are unmet, the housing problem worsens, leading to various challenges, particularly economic and social issues.

Keywords: Natural disaster, Earthquake, Migration, Housing problem, Qualitative research

Siyret Ayas Şarman / Mehtap Demir
DOI: 10.29224/insanveinsan.1553468
Year 12, Issue 39, Winter 2025

Tam metin / Full text
(Turkish)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Çiğdem Tuğaç

Abstract: A review of the zoning and disaster legislation in Türkiye reveals an earthquake-oriented approach. However, disasters related to climate change also result in considerable negative outcomes in Türkiye. Losses and damages caused by extreme weather events and climate change-related disasters affect settlements and housing, creating challenges in ensuring the right to adequate housing. Around the world, green housing is being implemented as an innovative solution to combat and adapt to the effects of climate change. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of green housing to the realization of the right to adequate housing in Türkiye and to offer policy recommendations for the future. The study concludes that the construction of green housing within urban transformation projects in Türkiye will support the creation of decent living environments and the realization of the right to housing. This approach will also contribute to achieving climate and disaster resilience for settlements, fulfilling Türkiye’s greenhouse gas reduction commitments in the global fight against climate change, and promoting the effective and efficient use of resources. Another conclusion of the study is that administrative, legal, and human capacities in Türkiye need to be improved in order to realize the right to adequate housing through green housing practices.

Keywords: Right to housing, Green housing, Climate change, Adaptation, Mitigation

Çiğdem Tuğaç
DOI: 10.29224/insanveinsan.1550388
Year 12, Issue 39, Winter 2025

Tam metin / Full text
(Turkish)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.