Refugee-Built Housing Programme Cuts Construction Costs by 14% at Kenya's Kakuma Camp
Kakuma, 18 March 2026
UNHCR’s innovative shelter initiative at Kakuma refugee camp demonstrates remarkable cost efficiency, with refugee-constructed homes proving 11-14% cheaper than traditional contractor builds. The programme has relocated 182 households from overcrowded reception centres in 2025, whilst compounds of 12-14 shelters can be completed within just 22 days. Since 2018, over 7,800 durable shelters have been constructed, benefiting approximately 27,000 refugees and local community members from South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Overcrowded Reception Centres Drive Innovation
The shelter initiative addresses critical overcrowding at Kakuma’s reception centres, which currently accommodate approximately 6,600 refugees and asylum seekers [1]. These temporary facilities receive around 200 new arrivals each week, operating well above their intended capacity [1]. Reception centres, designed to provide immediate safety and assistance upon arrival, were never intended as permanent housing solutions [1]. The structured relocation system implemented in 2025 successfully moved 182 newly arrived households from these overcrowded temporary facilities into permanent homes [1].
Cash-for-Shelter Model Empowers Refugee Families
The programme operates through a cash-for-shelter model that empowers refugee families to take control of their housing construction [1]. Selected households receive assistance in opening bank accounts and obtain financial support distributed in stages tied to specific construction milestones [1]. This approach ensures both accountability and progress whilst providing refugees with financial autonomy [1]. UNHCR provides technical guidance throughout the process to ensure all shelters meet safety and durability standards [1]. The model represents a significant shift from traditional contractor-based construction towards community-driven development.
Personal Stories of Security and Protection
Sofia, aged 27, exemplifies the programme’s impact after arriving in Kakuma in 2024 with her children following violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [1]. “This house keeps my children safe. When it rains or the wind blows, I do not fear,” Sofia explained [1]. Similarly, Bahati, who also arrived in 2024 after losing her husband to violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, now cares for her 11 children in secure accommodation [1]. “Before, I worried every night. Now my children sleep well. The house protects us from insects and the weather. I feel at peace knowing they are safe,” Bahati shared [1]. These testimonies highlight the programme’s success in providing not just physical shelter, but psychological security and peace of mind for displaced families.
Strategic Alignment with National Development Plans
The shelter approach aligns strategically with Kenya’s broader development framework, specifically the Kalobeyei Integrated Social and Economic Development Plan (KISEDP) and Kenya’s Shirika Plan [1]. These initiatives promote refugee inclusion and stimulate local economic growth within Turkana County [1]. The programme involves extensive collaboration between the Government of Kenya, humanitarian actors, development partners, and local authorities [1]. Both KISEDP and the Shirika Plan support cooperation mechanisms designed to translate policy commitments into practical, implementable solutions [1]. This alignment ensures the shelter programme contributes to long-term regional development whilst addressing immediate humanitarian needs.