Challenges of Housing Delivery in Metropolitan Lagos

Abstract

The need for adequate and decent housing is now part of the central focus and an integral component in National strategies for growth and poverty reduction. Decent and affordable housing is one of the basic needs of individuals, family and the community at large. As a pre-requisite to the survival of man, housing ranks second only to food. Housing as a unit of the environment has a profound influence on the health, efficient, social behaviour, satisfaction and general welfare of the community at large. It reflects the cultural, social and economic value of the society as it is the best physical and historical evidence of civilization in a country. The importance of housing in every life of human being and in national economy in general is enormous. Housing problem in Africa especially in Nigeria is not only limited to quantities but also qualities of the available housing units environment. It is in view of this that the paper views the challenges of housing delivery in the Lagos Metropolis. This was done by carrying out the inventory of housing delivery mechanism in Metropolitan Lagos in the past. Factors affecting housing delivery were also analyzed. It was discovered that land play a major role in ensuring effective housing delivery. The paper suggests that government need to pay urgent attention to all institutions that is responsible for housing delivery in ensuring that everybody has access to a decent place of abode.

Keywords: Housing Delivery, Housing Sector, Shelter, Urban Land, Urbanization