The role of social networks in migrant access to housing in Lenasia
Date
2009-06-18T10:40:07Z
Authors
Desai, Anisa
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Abstract
Migrant social networks have become somewhat of a trademark of global
migration. Social networks and their development cannot only be recognized
as a by product of migration, instead what has been noted is that social
networks have emerged as primary actors in the migration process as seen in
the incidence of the Asian migrant population in Lenasia. The use of social
networks by migrants allow for migrants to accrue a range of benefits such as
access to accommodation, employment, security and participation in social
activities.
With regard to the research report, the use of social networks by Asian
migrants to access accommodation in Lenasia has been the focus of the
study. Initial assumptions about this transient community entailed that
migrants in Lenasia were generally unable to access accommodation through
other formalised mechanisms such as rental companies therefore they relied
on social networks. This has however been proven incorrect and what was
found was that the migrant population had in fact never considered or
utilised the services of a rental company because their social networks had
always successfully met their accommodation needs.
The occurrence of migrant social networks in Lenasia has initiated further
migration into the area, and subsequently led to the development of migrant
enclaves operating in isolation from the pre-existing community. The effect
the creation of migrant enclaves in Lenasia has had on the area’s
development trajectory is explored in the research. In addition the
consequences of migrant enclaves and separate social networks between the
pre-existing and migrant community are investigated
Description
Keywords
Housing, South Africa, Migrants, Social networks