Housing problems of Syrians' life in Turkey who are exposed to forced migration: Kilis example

Immigration is a social phenomenon as ancient as the history of mankind. Immigration that occurred for a variety of reasons in every era of the history was focused on the basic purpose of having a better life. In the year 2011, the anti-government demonstrations in Syria have turned into a civil war. Approximately 14 million of Syrians became dependant on welfare, and immigrated to the neighbouring countries and to Turkey in particular. The Syrians, whose number is up to three and a half million, spread out to all of the eighty-one cities of Turkey and Kilis city is one of them. Kilis city exposed to high number of immigrant afflux in seven years and the number of Syrian immigrants outnumbered Kilis' own population. Kilis city doubled its number of inhabitants in a short period of time and struggled dealing with this situation in many ways, particularly in giving shelter. The object of this thesis is to emphasize the sheltering problems of Syrians who have started to live in Kilis after the year 2011, In this regard. 15 Syrians took part in this study, three of whom live in the container city, and 12 of whom live in downtown Kilis. The data obtained from the face-to-face interview technique and literature review were analysed by using the content analysis technique and the problems experienced by the Syrians living in Kilis were discussed. As a result of this analysis, it is established that the Syrians who immigrated to Kilis are usually from the tight budgeted people, and therefore come together in heaps of Kilis neighbourhood which present them low-rent housing in narrow tenements. It has been revealed that Syrians are even more economical in these places despite the fact that they accommodate between 6-20 people. It has been determined that these places are physically in bad condition, the people living in these places are living too far above the houses capacity and due to the economic problems, the Syrians are exposed to many problems in terms of housing.