Your observations are correct with respect to the part of Africa I come from. When you come of age you just pick an empty piece of land next to your family and

Your observations are correct with respect to the part of Africa I come from. When you come of age you just pick an empty piece of land next to your family and build your home. We used to use wood from trees you cut down yourself but now the trend is to use bricks. The bricks are "home made", and don't go through any quality checks. All in all there are few homeless people. It is also possible for a whole family to live in two rooms. I don't come from a family that does that but it happens. Everyone sleeping on the floor with a bed for the parents.