Approaches to the Improvement of Social Housing in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This paper addresses the problems and solutions of realizing social housing estates in Nigeria, concerning both new housing estates, replacing old ones and renewing existing estates through rehabilitation; indeed, the challenges and prospects of the process of improvements. It commences with an outline of the Nigerian Housing System, by way of a brief.  history of government intervention in housing.It then provides an insight into the two types of programs than can be applied to the revitalization of housing estates, namely, a maintenance program and an improvement program, and the associated façade improvement program, infrastructure, neighbourhood clean-up services and transportation linkages.This paper then presents the related instruments of registering housing quality, especially the Housing Quality Index. In this regard, it is shown that improvements made in housing brings positive changes in as many as eight major areas: Health, Education, Social Development, Employment, Productivity, and Awareness on opportunities for development, Safety and Crime. This model helps to work, out a composite Housing Quality Index incorporating various benefits derived by the user. Policy recommendations are made regarding the necessity for regular improvements of housing estates with a conclusion that it should be a national priority.