Living Under Pressure: A Qualitative Study of Shelter Gaps and Coping Strategies among Syrian Refugees and Jordanians

Jordan hosts over 600,000 Syrian refugees, making up 90% of the refugee population. With a 27% unemployment rate for Syrians and 17% for Jordanians, rising costs, and an unchanged minimum wage, housing has become a major challenge, as rent consumes more than half of their monthly income.
This qualitative study amplifies the voices behind these numbers. Focus group discussions and interviews explore how shelter issues affect Jordanian and Syrian well-being, livelihoods, and social cohesion. The study focuses on the most vulnerable groups, such as women, widows, people with disabilities, and youth, and examines negative coping strategies, such as child labor, early marriage, and debt. The study also analyzes how funding cuts and social policies impact coexistence between Syrians and Jordanians.