1.1 Introduction
The intricate association between housing and the health of individuals does not make for a binary occurrence (Lubell et al., 2007). Housing is seen as one of the most important for the physical survival of man after the provision of food. It contributes to the physical and moral hearth of a nation and stimulates the social stability, the work efficiency and the development of the individuals. But in spite of these facts there is on doubt that housing in quantitative terms is still one of the major problems facing the Nigerian Urbanities and governments beside the characteristic slums and conditions it is becoming increasingly difficult for average Nigerians to own houses.
Also, it is very difficult to procure decent accommodation at reasonable rent in the market. The rent is high in each state and fairly high in the other state capitals, but still not commensurate with the monthly incomes of all categories of low, middle and upper wage earners and the self-employed.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Housing is one of the three basic necessities of life. It is dignity of man is usually enhanced by his ownership of house. The greater population of the world population is housed; the population that is well housed is in the minority while dilapidated houses are accommodating the greater population of the world. The concentration and rapid increase of population in the new state capitals is based on the few and inadequate social services in the town.
The main pointer in the new state capital is the problem of a housing, houses to match the over-growing demand so as to produce rent which are reasonable to meet the community and which are equitable in terms of returns to investors in housing in the urban area and developing areas like Asaba-statistics have it that in Asaba, some areas, the home is too small to allow for decent family life and offers no more than a tiny abode to its members.
Statistics also have it that urban dwelling are in general over-crowded and surrounded by a deplorable urban landscape situation. This most unsatisfactory situation is still setting hard due to the impact of population growth and urbanization; there has been a remarkable increase in recent years.
The major cause of high rent is that the supply of housing is fair less than demand and the recommended 20 percent of the monthly income on rent. The problems are more acute in those cities and towns where ad commercial and industrial activities have long been established, fast growing and concentrated cities. To find houses to rent is a big problem and if such houses are eventually found, they are let out at very exorbitant prices that take a large percentage or the monthly income of the acceptant not minding the location and the accessibility of the residence to the place of work. Until recently for an was becoming exceedingly very difficult for an average wage earner as well as the self − employed individuals to build houses of their own within a long period of time say ten years through their private savings.
Most civil servants in Nigeria between 1978 and 1988 cloud hardly make some savings not to take of building houses of their own. Also, the cost of building materials is very exhobitant, cost of land, labour and professional fees are very high which has led to the situation whereby the construction cost per square meter is far more than what an individual could meet after the provision of food and other social needs.
Although dwellers who can afford decent houses ot live in, it makes for the high growth of tenement, because they now resort to live in place where there is not good ventilation and the house cluster. These houses are not permanent in the sense that if there is heavy wind or rain, the building collapses and life is lost, tough because they will have to provide another accommodation or they will have to rebuild.
Lack of planning is another problem because since these houses are built carelessly, it does make for good planning. They do not get the go ahead from the authorities concerned, these buildings have been developed and demolished when the planning authorities find out, so it is safer to get the go ahead from the authorities concerned even though it will take so much time to acquire but it should be worthwhile in the long run. Decent housing is one of the basic needs of every individual, the family and community in general a pre-requisite to the survival of man.
The housing as a unit of the environment has profound influence on the health, efficiency, social behaviour satisfaction and general welfare of the community it reflects the cultural, social and economic value of a society as it is the best physical and historical evidence of civilization in a town and country.
The importance of providing adequate housing in any town cannot be over stated. It is a stimulant of the national economy. To achieve this, the federal government of Nigeria incorporated it in the Nation’s third development plan (1975-1980) and sought to participate actively in the provision of housing for all income groups achieve significant increase in housing supply and bring relief especially to the low income earners and the self- employed who where the most affected by the acute shortage a situation whereby the Urban worker paid over 20% of his monthly income on rent.
This has led to the provision of Estates by both the federal and the state government in order to increase the housing stock available to the urban population. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to examine the Impact of Poor Housing Plan on Residence Health.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the gross level of housing deficit in Nigeria has exposed many of the citizens to various health risks relating directly to poor housing. The Government all over the world especially in developing countries embarks on the provision of housing Estate for their Wizens; this is usually to argument housing provision by the private sector of the economy.
Although these estates were established by law and status, they present management problems inducing legal, physical, Financial, social − political and other problems such that in recent time management of public housing Estate has presented hydra-headed problems. These problems manifest themselves in the form of dilapidated buildings, poor sanctuary and environmental condition all resulting from poor management and lack of maintenance.
This clearly, the crux of the housing problems in Nigeria today relate to the low income groups which constitute the main elements of both Urban and rural population with all these factors mentioned above one sees the housing problems in general as the problems that motivated both the federal and the state government, the Imo state government and the Imo state Urban and housing corporation and all the other state government and housing corporations to formulate their housing programmes. This is because good residential housing gives room for more production.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of Poor Housing Plan on Residence Health. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the effect of this housing Estate on the residential housing provision in the area under review;
- To examine the factors that have militated against cordial relationship between Housing Plan and Residence Health;
- To ascertain the impacts of housing on the health of Nigerians; and
- To suggest some ideas that could help cater for the health of Nigerians in relation to housing in the area under review.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Is there evidence to support the impacts of housing on the health of Nigerians?
- Are there factors that have militated against cordial relationship between Housing Plan and Residence Health?
- What is the effect of this housing Estate on the residential housing provision in the area under review?
- What are the impacts of housing on the health of Nigerians?
- What are the ideas that could help cater for the health of Nigerians in relation to housing in the area under review?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Housing has a negative and direct impact on the health outcomes of Nigerians in the area under review
- H1: Housing has a positive and direct impact on the health outcomes of Nigerians in the area under review
1.7 Significance of Study
The relevance of the study emphasizes the management of public housing cannot be feasible if rent collection and other residential or tenancy agreements are not properly documented and effected. A functional rent collection and management system can be an integral component of a responsive policy platform that facilitates sustainable delivery and management of public housing.
It has often been argued that the distribution of residential housing ownership, specifically among the working class, increased support for the ownership of private property in general as an area of social structure pound on capitalist private enterprise.
To further buttress this point residential housing delivery in Asaba has made the individuals and low income earners to enjoy its role in stimulating national economy, its social services or significance and its financial and economic importance to individuals.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Accessing the Impact of Poor Housing Plan on Residence Health using Asaba, Delta State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Public Housing:
Housing developed by a public agency for the purpose of accommodation of the low income mainly for rental accommodation and whose tenants are selected through established procedures.
Building Quality:
The extent to which building features meet prevailing regulations and expectations of occupants
Social Housing:
Residential accommodation mainly for rental purposes established through state intervention mainly of a state agency.
Tenant Satisfaction:
The extent to which the tenant is perceives and/or is convinced that their rental accommodation meets their desires and needs which may be physical or non-physical.
