Socio-economic Determinants of Housing Satisfaction Among Middle-Income Households in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Housing provision in Nigeria has not only been plagued by insufficiency in numbers, but also by inadequacies in quality. Housing quality is a predictor of housing adequacy. Adequate housing is housing that is in congruence with a family’s needs and social status. Achieving this balance creates the possibility of residents experiencing satisfaction with their housing. Housing satisfaction must therefore be viewed as a critical element in housing provision, as it can substantially impact on the overall well-being of housing residents. This study addresses housing satisfaction among the middle-income in Nigeria, and the roles if any, socio-economic factors play in housing satisfaction among this income group. A total of 344 middle income households drawn from multi-stage sampling, were studied. Data collection was through administration of a structured questionnaire, and physical appraisal of housing formation in the study area. The socio-economic variables tested in the study are Income, Family size, Family structure, Level of education, Nature of employment, and Socialisation habits. Logistic regression test, with the logit dichotomous model was used for the analysis. The results of the study show that the socio-economic characteristics which significantly affect housing satisfaction among the middle-income group in Nigeria are Income, Nature of employment, and Socialisation habits. The other socio-economic variables could be accommodated by residents in their housing, if these three were adequately considered from inception. It is the conclusion of this study that housing design for this income group must place emphasis on affordable, cost-effective, and space-efficient housing, which will truly reflect good quality environments, and increase residents’ satisfaction with their housing.

Keywords: Housing satisfaction, Mass housing, Middle-income, Nigeria, Socio-economic