News about housing shortages in the country is not new anymore to the Nigerian populace, with plenty of grounds left to cover in order to bridge the housing deficit facing the country. It seems the government and other housing bodies may not be lacking in ideas of creating affordable housing policies, the main problem lies in implementation and strict monitoring of these housing policies.
Still, despite expecting more from the government and housing bodies to improve housing situations in the country, there is no quick fix to housing affordability issues that have begrudged the country decades long, it will take a long road to recovery. Before the government and housing sector can get to the answers of building affordable homes, they must realize the huge importance housing plays in the development of man and his environment.
What is needed is for the authorities to create long-term plans for housing, maybe, overhaul some related housing policies or regulations that have been in existence for long.
Also read: Our stand (35): Factors affecting the cost of building materials in Nigeria
Housing as a pride for every owner, brings some sense of prestige and satisfaction, looking at the efforts it took for one to develop a structure. Many in the country would love to be identified as a homeowner but, with the many encumbrances associated with the process, it has made it difficult for such dream to be realized by the majority of citizens in the country.
Below are some of the issues that have made owning a home a difficult task for the majority of the Nigerian populace.
Rising incomes mean that people are able to spend more on decent housing
Trying to get to the root of housing unaffordability issues in the country, one may say that one of the causes of it is poor remuneration of an average Nigerian worker who earns less but spends more than his earnings. Even the few who can boast of a steady income still find it almost difficult to buy or rent affordable homes that will still allow space to attend to other family needs. Most rents/houses remain terribly high especially in cities and out of line with incomes, forcing many unwise ones to spend more than 50% of their income on housing. Those who chose not to spend 50% or more of their income on housing, find themselves in places where they can afford and these are mostly indecent houses in slums.
Also read: Recognizing the role[s] of affordable housing, impacts on other life endeavors
Lack of access to land affects housing affordability
Complex land regulations stall the increase in supply of affordable housing. Lands in the country are government regulated and not low income earner-friendly. Some of these regulations bear some restrictions on the type of houses to be built on certain areas. These regulations might be aimed at developing more quality housing but, sometimes, it is to the detriment of a low income earner who does not stand a chance of meeting such standards. Even if they try meeting up with such housing, it may rub off negatively on other housing demands of the home. One of the problems of land allocation in the country today, especially in cities is favoritism, an act that has seen lands allocated to unqualified persons than qualified developers.
Use of made in Nigeria building materials
Promoting the use of locally made building materials can further enhance the supply of affordable housing. When materials are produced locally, it makes it cheaper for the society to have access to them and develop their own houses. This will be made possible when cost of transportation is reduced. Low cost of production and transportation of these locally made materials makes affordability easier.
Each of these highlighted points play some roles as to the reasons many cannot access affordable housing.
